The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of tension in Uganda. Violence and injustice have ruptured the peace in our beautiful land. Many of us ask ourselves, “How did we find ourselves in this situation?” Most Ugandans have mastered the art of survival; women in particular have learned how to beat the odds and survive in a male dominated economy. However, recent inflation in the country has brought Ugandans to unanticipated levels of desperation. In addition to perfecting their daily survival tactics, Ugandans are seeking new solutions to the harsh economic situation in which they have found themselves, such as peacefully escalating their grievances to those in authority. Many Ugandans who ordinarily drive to work attempted to express their economic grievances by walking to work, hoping that those in a position to make a difference would take notice and at least offer some assurance.

In anticipation of riots, truckloads of gun-wielding men and women in various uniforms were deployed in towns and cities across the country to maintain order. Those walking to work found themselves in disagreement with security forces; a downward spiral of agitation and harassment ensued. To disperse gatherings that were becoming rowdy, teargas was unleashed irresponsibly on the public; children in schools were not spared. What was supposed to be a peaceful way of expressing grievances, erupted into an orgy of indiscriminate violence as riots broke out across the country.  Batons, canes, dogs, more teargas and eventually live ammunition were used against civilians. Hundreds were injured and several unarmed men, women and children were killed by armed security forces. Officials responded by attempting to sanitize the use of disproportionate force to quell demonstrations; this further decimated Ugandan citizens’ sense of safety.

The economic hardships, escalating violence, unreasonable responses, growing intolerance and the abnegation of responsibilities towards the women, men and children of Uganda captured the attention of both local and international media. Different versions of recent events have been presented, some of which have proved to be grossly inaccurate and intentionally untruthful.

Rather than sit back in fear and watch the seemingly auto-exacerbating chaos consume their country, the women of Uganda decided to intervene.

FIDA Uganda joined other organizations under an umbrella group called Uganda Women’s Civil Society Organizations to organize and participate in the Women’s Vigil for Peace. All participants were to be dressed in white; colors associated with political parties were to be avoided. Clearance was given by the Inspector General of Police. Hundreds of women turned up in white, carrying symbolic pots and saucepans. After congregating on a playground, the women offered prayers in three different languages. A band lead the procession as women marched in an orderly fashion through the streets of Kampala carrying placards and banners that read “Women of Uganda Want Peace”,  “Respect Women’s Bodies During Arrest” , “Stop Shooting Our Babies”, “For a Country Without Bread, Bullets Cannot be Food”, “Stop Police Brutality”, “Stop Lies! Ugandans Need Facts to be Hopeful” , “Fuel Prices Must Go Down” and “Free Rights Defenders”. The unmistakable clanging of pots and saucepans was in symphony with the band. The sun was unforgiving, but the women were determined to continue marching and have their messages seen and heard. As they marched, the women received support from onlookers, many of whom joined in the march. Local and international media took photos and conducted interviews with several women during the march.

After the march, several women were given the opportunity to express themselves and they did an excellent job of projecting the voices of the women of Uganda. A large peace circle was formed and the women danced as they waited for the guest of honor, Ms. Margaret Ssekaggya (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders). Ms. Stella Mukasa read the full statement prepared by Uganda Women’s Civil Society Organizations, to be presented to Ms. Ssekaggya. On arrival, Ms. Ssekaggya was welcomed and presented with the statement.  After Ms. Ssekaggya received the statement, Ms. Birgit Gerstenberg from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights commended the women for marching and promised to relay the message to Geneva.

Below is the statement delivered to Ms. Margaret Ssekaggya.

Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed a series of disturbing events in
which we have seen the State and its law enforcement agencies respond in a
brutal and often excessive manner to citizens’ demands for government action
to address increased prices, cost of living, growing poverty, inequality in
distribution of resources and corruption.

During this period, the Police and other security agencies have sought to
quell demonstrations under the ‘Walk to Work’ Campaign using live
ammunition and copious amounts of tear gas resulting in the loss of life,
injuries to persons, and destruction of property. We have seen our sisters,
brothers, and children affected in various ways with many still nursing
injuries in hospital and others arrested and imprisoned, some without
charge. In some incidences, sections of the public have exploited the
volatile situation to break the law further spawning a downward spiral of
violence both in Kampala and in other towns upcountry.

The shooting to death of two-year old Juliana Nalwanga in Masaka,
seven-month pregnant Ms. Nalwendo in the stomach and the brutal arrest and
treatment of demonstrators and some bystanders are but some of the horrific
incidents that have shocked us and invoked unease and a range of reactions
from various sections of Uganda’s population and international actors
including the Inter Religious Council, the Uganda Law Society and the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights.

While the State has a duty to ensure law and order, the State is also
obliged to respect, promote, protect, and fulfill the rights of its
citizens as enshrined in the 1995 Constitution and other regional and
international treaties to which Uganda is a signatory.*  In
attempting to fulfill its obligations in the last few weeks, the State has
instead used excessive force resulting in the infringement of some of the
fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution including the
right to life, the freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of
movement, right to access prompt, fair and timely justice and freedom from
inhuman and degrading treatment.

We are also deeply concerned about the suffering that has been occasioned by
the escalating food and fuel prices.  Many women, men and children are
subsequently unable to meet their basic needs and enjoy their basic right to
food, education, health and shelter. While we recognize the myriad of causes
behind the current crisis, we also wish to express our profound
disappointment with government’s indifference, exhibited by the lack of
urgent action to curb the situation and apparent disregard of pressing
priorities in allocation of government expenditure.

We as Women in Civil Society are hereby convening to register our deep
concern and condemnation on the use of excessive force by the Police and
other security agencies and subsequent escalating violence and to call upon
the State to take critical measures to address the key issues/ concerns
raised by the public so as to avert a national crisis. In particular, we
wish to register our deep concern of:

1.    The use of excessive force and especially the use of live ammunition
to quell demonstrations, indiscriminate physical assaults on civilians,
spraying of vast amounts of tear gas in closed spaces including cars,
schools, dispensaries and homes occasioning loss of life and property,
severe injuries and pain among innocent children, by standers, those at work
and urban dwellers. We are greatly concerned that rather than enjoy state
protection, citizens are preoccupied with defending themselves against its
wrath.

2.    The brutality of officers of the Uganda Police Force and other
security operatives in handling the “Walk to Work” campaign which amounted
to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment for those that were arrested.

3.    The intimidation of human rights defenders who have spoken out on
various issues of concern including the declining space for engagement.

4.    Censorship of the media and a curtailing of press freedom and freedom
of expression, including intimidation and security threats to journalists
and media houses carrying out their duty as a watchdog of the state and
provider of information to the public.

5.    he increased erosion of the independence of the three arms of
government  and lack of . The actions and decisions of some judicial
officers which cast doubt in the minds of the public on whether justice is
being done. We are equally concerned that contrary to the public appeal for
the perpetrators of violence to be brought to justice, the Minister for
Internal Affairs has instead defended the use of brutal force. Such
responses from government risk promoting impunity.

6.    The increased militarization of the State and use of armed forces to
enforce law and order and quell peaceful protests which heightens risks of
violent conflict and will affect the entire population of Uganda including
men, women and children.

We as women’s civil society organisations are calling upon the Government to
respect, promote, protect, and fulfill the rights of its citizens as
enshrined in the 1995 Constitution and exercise restraint in fulfilling its
obligations. Government must recognize that the language of force and
violence alienates more then 50% of Uganda’s population – the women and
diminishes our initiative to exercise our civic duties within the public
sphere.

We are calling upon Government to take proactive measures to address broader
social justice issues, and ensure that key concerns voiced by various
sections of the public are addressed. We demand for strong policy measures
to address issues food security, unemployment, health and education. We also
demand for government’s resolve to ensure greater transparency in the
allocation and management of public resources, reduction of excessive
government expenditure and equitable distribution of benefits of economic
growth to all the citizens of Uganda.

We are formally submitting an appeal to the Government and to the
International Community through the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the
situation of Human Rights defenders (UNSR) requesting for thorough, prompt
and impartial investigations into the human rights violations committed by
the security forces.

Finally, we are calling upon the public to remain peaceful in the pursuit of
various rights and to desist from violent actions. We are also calling for
national dialogue between key parties and urge all stakeholders including
the regional and international community to intervene in ensuring peace and
justice prevails in Uganda.

UGANDA WOMEN’S CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS

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*These treaties include the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of
Discrimination Against Women, the African Charter on Human And Peoples’
Rights and the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights in Africa.

In sharp contrast to recent demonstrations, the Women’s Vigil for Peace was conducted without incident. The Uganda Police was thanked for their peaceful presence and support during the march. The Women’s Vigil for Peace successfully delivered a message in a clear and non-partisan manner; “The Women of Uganda demand peace!”

Photos from the Women’s Vigil for Peace may be found on FIDA Uganda’s web gallery on Picasa, as well as on FIDA Uganda’s facebook page.

Videos from the Women’s Vigil for Peace may be found on FIDA Uganda’s YouTube channel.