Ugandan wins human rights accolade

AS ambassadors Kristian Schmidt of the European Union and Alain Hanssen of Belgium, in front of the 28 flags of the EU countries, handed over the Union’s Human Rights Defenders Award for 2015 to Ugandan Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana at the Belgian Ambassador’s residence in Kololo, Kampala, on Thursday, you could tell it wasn’t a small thing — his achievement.

And the human rights activist was ready for it. He stood composed — confident is the word — but with a serious face behind the rims of his eye glasses, like there was a lot serious matters of human rights that he needed addressed urgently, matters much important than the award. 

But there was none. Just a charm. This was his day. And when he moved to the plinth and took the microphone to deliver his acceptance speech, he demonstrated the reason there couldn’t have been a worthier winner.

The executive director Foundation for Human Rights Initiative was eloquent, but more about upholding the rule of law and widening the political space in Uganda.

He underscored the need for a vibrant and independent judiciary, the need for tangible and “ground breaking” electoral reforms, and the need for a stronger and capacity-enabled police in the administration of justice.

“The NGO Amendment Bill 2015 (currently on the floor of Parliament) should seek to be more enabling to ensure citizens can participate in their governance, it should not be limiting. Next year (2016) we have general elections, citizens should not be encouraged to register only, they should also be encouraged to actually turn up and vote — because it is their right to determine the type of leadership they want.” 

When Sewanyana was through with his rather the-current-state-of-affairs questioning speech, a nod of approval from the many EU envoys and dignitaries and human rights activists who all this time had been attentively listening to him deliver his speech, awaited him. They clapped him off the stage.

Belgium Ambassador to Uganda, Alain Hanssen, intimated that Sewanyana was recognized for his promotion and protection of democratic rights, good governance, and labour and women’s rights in Uganda. Read more