HURIPEC also conducts occasional public dialogues, different from the Baraza on diverse human rights and governance issues prevalent in the country. In the past, these dialogues have revolved around proposed laws with potentiality of infringing on human rights among other issues. At such dialogues, leading experts in particular fields of specialty within which issues under discussion fall are invited, present papers and thereafter a public dialogue ensues on the issues raised. The dialogues are free and open to all the public.The aim of the dialogues is to create a platform for debate on various national human rights issues central to the welfare of the public.The past dialogues include:
2015 PUBLIC DIALOGUES
INTRODUCTORY NOTE: RELIGION, RIGHTS AND PEACE FELLOWSHIP
The Religion, Rights and Peace Fellowship is a multi-disciplinary academic programme
Latest 2014 16 Introductory Note is available for download.
A) UNIVERSITIES AS AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE;The Role of the Youth in Political Transition
Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi 11 February, 2015|1400-1645
This Public Dialogue was convened under the auspices of the East African School of Governance and Diplomatic Studies at Uganda Martyrs University and was organized by Fr Dr Maximiano Ngabirano.
PL Brief UMU Nkozi is available for download.
B) The Nexus Between Corruption and Governance: Challenges and Prospects for Uganda
Nkumba University23 February, 2015|1400-1630
Religion, Rights and Peace Fellowship was hosted by the Department of Social Sciences atNkumba University to deliberate on matters pertaining the connection between corruption and governance and the challenges and prospects thereof for Uganda.
PL Brief Nkumba University is available for download.
C) Youth in National Leadership and Transitional Politics
Makerere University Business School Leadership Annex 26 February, 2015|1415-1645
The lead presenter, Mr Asuman Basalirwa began by setting the stage for the discussion and this he sought to do by offering some facts and figures surrounding the situation that the youth find themselves in:
PL Brief Makerere University Business School Leadership Annex is available for download.
D) Religion, Politics and National Identity: Focus on Islam
Makerere University 23 February, 2015|1430-1700
This Public Dialogue was hosted by the School of Law at Makerere University and was opened by a lead presentation by Imam Imaamu Kasozi in which he sought to elaborate the dignity with which Islam treats humanity and human life in general.
PL Brief Makerere University is available for download.
E) Human Rights Implications of Youth Unemployment
Kyambogo University 23 February, 2015|1400-1630
This Public Dialogue was conducted in collaboration with the Human Rights class of Kyambogo University albeit with attendance from other disciplines.
PL Brief Kyambogo University is available for download.
F) Academia, Religious Leaders and the Working Class in the Political Arena of Uganda
Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara 4 March, 2015|1430-1630
The main paper was presented by the Visiting Fellow, Fr Dr Pascal Kabura who led off by decrying seven factors that have conspired to hamstring Uganda proletariat, clergy and intelligentsia
PL Brief Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara is available for download.
G) Islam as an Instrument of Social Change
Convened with Uganda Muslim Association, Wakiso District | Kiina Conference Hall 15 April, 2015|1000-1430
This Advanced Seminar on Islam as an Instrument of Social Change was convened by the Religion, Rights and Peace Fellowship (RRPF) of the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), School of Law-Makerere University in conjunction with the leadership of the Muslim Association of Wakiso District.
PL Brief Convened with Uganda Muslim Association, Wakiso District is available for download.
H) The Role of Religious Institutions and Leaders in the Political Arena
St Paul National Major Seminary, Kinyamasika 18 March 2015|1430-1700
Dr Maximiano Ngabirano delivered the Keynote at this Advanced Seminar. The response was made by Fr Dr Pascal Kabura. The Director Fr Lazarus Luyinda moderated the plenary.
AS St Paul National Major Seminary Kinyamasika is available for download.
2014 PUBLIC DIALOGUES
A). MONOGRAPH
Religion, Politics and Governance in Uganda
This monograph is a compendium of selected Public Lectures that were presented under the auspices of the Religion, Rights and Peace Fellowship (RRPF) of the Human Rights and Peace Center (HURIPEC), School of Law Makerere University.
THE MONOGRAPH is available for download.
B). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN KAMPALA CITY ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 2014
In pursuit of its mandate as an academic centre of human rights under the School of Law at Makerere University, the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) took keen interest in the contestations that have been taking place in Kampala Capital City Authority and what this state-of-affairs implies for democratic governance in Uganda.
HURIPEC not only teaches human rights but also organises seminars, workshops, conferences and publishes working papers as well. The East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights is one of its well-regarded publications.
In the recent past, there have been efforts aimed at ordering the City, some of which have been initiated by legislative enactments. Some of the efforts have led to clashes between the imperative for service delivery and respect for democratic rights or values of participation and representation.
A number of initiatives at ordering the city have their justification embedded in the Kampala Capital City Authority Act 2010 (KCCA Act, 2010). It makes provision for how the Capital City is to be administered by the Central government, pursuant to Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995.
The unintended consequences of this law have farther been tremendous, including frequent friction between the Lord Mayor on the one hand and the Executive Director and some Councillors on the other. Among the outcomes of this has been delays in implementation of policies and service delivery to the people in the City.
It is against the above background that a public dialogue titled: Ordering the City With or without the People? Implications of Recent Developments in Kampala Capital City Authority on Democratic Governance, on 24 April, 2014, to create a platform that draws together academia, practicing lawyers, politicians, students and interested members of the public to objectively discuss the KCCA Act 2010, likely implications of the Lady Justice Bamugemereire Tribunal Report and right(s) such as political participation. Dr Busingye Kabumba set the pace with his erudite Keynote Address which focused on five questions: whether Ms Musisi is just a technocrat or a politician as well and whether the Executive Director, be it the incumbent or any other, is in a position to divorce themselves of the partisan interests of the appointing authority because the obtaining situation looks like more of a contestation between an appointed politician and an elected politician.
What the operational definition of development for KCCA is, what it means, for whom, how it should be attained and what may or may not be sacrificed to achieve it et cetera.
PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN KAMPALA CITY ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE is available for download.
C). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT, ANTI-PORNOGRAPHY AND ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACTS 2014
As part of its academic mandate as a department of the School of Law, Makerere University, particularly regarding the subject of human rights, the Human Rights and Peace Centre regularly convenes public dialogues as a way of providing a discussion platform for the broad spectrum of stakeholders to deliberate on topical matters.
Recent reviews of the human rights situation in Uganda have painted a bleak picture. The Universal Periodic Review for Uganda as well as the most recent Report by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative point to deterioration in the protection and promotion of basic civil and political rights as well as social-economic and cultural rights.
The sitting session of the Parliament of Uganda has, over the last couple of months, passed what many consider draconian laws namely, the Public Order Management Act, 2013 and the subsequent Anti Pornography and Anti-Homosexuality Acts. These have set off a wave of international condemnation, aid cuts by donor countries, protests and demonstrations within and without Uganda, as well as a constitutional court petition seeking to have the Anti Homosexuality Act declared unconstitutional and in violation of Uganda international commitments.
PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT, ANTI-PORNOGRAPHY AND ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACTS is available for download.
D). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT BILL 2011
HURIPEC in partnership with Human Rights Network (HURINET-U) and the Center for Constitutional Governance, organized a half day public dialogue to discuss the Public Order Management Bill that was being debated by Parliament. The theme of the Dialogue was; “Rule of law or Rule by law: A critical look in to the Public Order Management Bill”. It took place on 7th May 2013 at Grand Imperial Hotel. The discussion in relation to the Bill was centered on the following issues;
- The Regulation of public meetings.
- Duties and responsibilities of Police.
- Organizers and participants in relation to public meetings.
- To prescribe measures for safeguarding public order and related matters.
Among the key speakers at the Dialogue were: Hon. Miria Matembe, Hon. Medard Seggona, Hon.Muwanga Kivumbi, Hon.Jovia Kamateeka, Hon. Gerald Karuhanga.
2013 PUBLIC DIALOGUES
E). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE BILL 2009
On 10th April, 2013, HURIPEC’s Religion, Rights and Peace Fellowship in organized a half day Dialogue at the lower lecture auditorium of he School of Law, Makerere University, to discuss the Marriage and Divorce Bill 2009 that was debated in Parliament at the time.
The main goal of the Dialogue was to provide a proper understanding of what the draftsmen’s intentions were including the provisions on property rights, marriage gifts and consent among others. The speakers were people of diverse backgrounds: academics, members of Parliament, lawyers, etc.
- How best the Uganda Police Force could be insulated from political control to ensure its independence.
- How the civilian nature of the Uganda could be guaranteed from the visible and powerful tentacles of militarism.
- How civilian oversight over police for accountability purposes could be ensured.
F). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE SEARCH FOR A DEMOCRATIC AND ACCOUNTABLE POLICE IN UGANDA
HURIPEC held the Dialogue in conjunction with the Human Rights Network – Uganda (HURINET-U). It was a one day Dialogue at the Makerere University- Main Hall on 1st March 2013 and Prof. G.W Kanyeihamba gave the Key note address. The Dialogue was intended to provide a platform for debate on the Uganda Police Force, reflecting on whence it has come from, where it is going and where Ugandans want it to go. It focused on assessing the Ugandan Police Force’s extent of professionalism more especially in the multi-party dispensation fifty years after independence. The dialogue sought to answer the following questions;
2009 PUBLIC DIALOGUES
G). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL 2009
Following a private member’s bill dubbed the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ 2009, HURIPEC held a public dialogue to discuss the bill which out rightly was and remains with a grave potential to violate human rights to the extent of providing for the death penalty for persons found ‘practicing’ homosexuality. The aim of the dialogue was to discuss the human rights implications in the bill. The dialogue was held on the 18th November, 2009 at Faculty of Law Auditorium. Papers presented included the following:
- ‘The Rationale for an Anti-Homosexuality Bill’, by Honourable David Bahati, Member of Parliament, Ndorwa East and Sponsor of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
- ‘The Need for Law to Reflect the Moral Values of the Society’, by Mr. Stephen Langa, Executive Director, Family Life Network.
- ‘Why the Anti-Homosexuality Bill Should Concern us all’, by Major Rubaramira Ruranga, Human Rights & HIV/AIDS Activist.
- A Human Rights Impact Assessment of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill’, by Associate Professor, Coordinator, Law, Gender & Sexuality Research Project, Faculty of Law, Makerere University. [Available for download]
2008, 2007 and 2006 PUBLIC DIALOGUES
H). PUBLIC DIALOGUE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN UGANDA’s POLITICAL FUTURE
On the 7th April 2007, HURIPEC held a half-day public lecture by Professor G.W. Kanyeihamba. The lecture, held at Makerere University, Main Hall, provided a platform for a comprehensive examination and public scrutiny of Uganda’s democratic future and the prospects for constitutional governance in the wake of past, prevailing and planned constitutional amendments. The lecture sought to provide answers and tickle participants’ debate on three fundamental questions;
- In reference to term limits; do unlimited presidential terms enhance the likelihood of improved political governance & prospects for peaceful regime change?
- Can the Public trust the legislature to undertake key constitutional amendments such as the removal of presidential term limits, age limits, and changes to the electoral process?
- What then is Uganda’s Political future in the view of the proposed constitutional amendments?
The paper delivered by Professor G.W. Kanyeihamba, ‘The Culture of Constitutionalism and the Doctrine of Separation of Powers’, is available for download.