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Oeganda
launched the
Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda project in Kampala
Metropolitan region, after successful regional launches in the Albertine and
Busoga regions where the project will also be implemented.
The project is
part of the European Union's support to implement Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and focuses on three thematic areas: labour rights in the agricultural sector, natural resource
governance and land, and digital rights and internet governance.
Speaking during
the Kampala launch at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, the state minister for
gender, labour, and social development in charge of older persons, Hon. Dominic
Gidudu Mafabi, acknowledged the existence of human rights violations by
businesses in Uganda. “These negative occurrences include; child labour,
especially in the farming and mining sectors; violation of workers’ rights, and
discrimination against women and vulnerable groups in the business sector”,
said Mafabi.
He said that
the government is committed to addressing the prevailing human rights
violations to ensure that workers enjoy safe working conditions in businesses
and other workplaces. “In 2021, we committed to embarking on the business and
human rights agenda by adopting the National Action Plan on Business and Human
Rights, whose objectives we are currently implementing as a ministry, together
with organisations, state, and non-state actors.
The Commissioner
for Equity and Rights at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development,
Mr. Benard Mujuni said that the project has started timely. “We have conducted
this launch in different regions and the complaints were overwhelming,
highlighting the need for these issues to be addressed”, said Mujuni.
The Uganda Human
Rights Commission, one of the government agencies that will support the
implementation of the project, through the chairperson, Mariam Fauzat Wangadya
pledged to support the effectiveness of the project by uniting businesses communities,
and Civil Society Organisations to strengthen accountability and raise human
rights standards”, said Wangadya. The chairperson added that Uganda leads
Africa by adopting the first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Lucy Peace
Nantume, a Business and Human Rights Expert for Enabel in Uganda during
the Busoga region launch emphasized the significance of the project in
light of the recent discovery of rare earth minerals in Busoga. "Wherever
minerals are found, human rights violations tend to follow. This project will
educate communities about their rights, especially as they face potential
exploitation related to the new mineral discovery", Nantume noted.
Hon. Sauda Kauma
Alibaawo, the area Woman Member of Parliament, lauded the European Union and
the implementing partners for launching the initiative at a critical time. She
highlighted that communities in Busoga, now aware of their rights, will be
better equipped to protect themselves from potential abuses related to mineral
extraction and other business activities.
Laurianne
Comard, a representative from the European Union said that the EU is excited to
be part of Uganda’s journey towards reducing rights abuses in businesses. “We are
optimistic about the 5 million Euros Business and Human Rights project. As part
of our flagship program supporting sustainable business growth, it’s timely for
Uganda as the European Union works toward due diligence regulations ensuring
businesses uphold human rights”, said Comard.
The advancing
Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda Project is funded by the
European Union to the tune of 4.8 million Euros. The three-year project started
in 2023 and will end in 2026. It is being implemented in three regions of
Uganda, namely: Albertine (Hoima, Kikuube, Masindi, and Kiryadongo districts),
Busoga (Mayuge, Iganga, Bugiri, and Bugweri districts), and Kampala
Metropolitan (Mukono, Wakiso, and Kampala districts) where the national launch
was held.
The project will
empower 6 civil society organizations to drive advocacy, dialogue, and actions
that strengthen Uganda’s Business and Human Rights agenda. Additionally, 50
businesses will receive support to implement human rights due diligence aligned
with both national and international standards.
Other partners
that Enabel and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development will
implement the project together with include; the Uganda Human Rights
Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Businesses and Business Membership Organisations,
and Civil society organizations: Initiative for Social and Economic Rights
(ISER), Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa
(CIPESA), Resource Rights Africa (RRA), and Africa Centre for Energy and
Mineral Policy (ACEMP).
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