Uganda

World Coalition Steering Committee member

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) is an independent, non-governmental organisation aiming to enhance the knowledge, respect and observance of human rights in Uganda. FHRI’s objective is to remove obstacles to democratic development. The organisation defends the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the 1995 Ugandan Constitution and other internationally recognised human rights instruments.

FHRI undertakes research, monitoring, documentation and advocacy on a variety of human rights issues and publishes human rights literature. It conducts workshops and seminars on basic law, human rights and related subjects. It encourages exchanges of information and best practices between human rights activists and engages in lobbying and strategic partnerships. The organisation campaigns for judicial independence and respect for the rights of vulnerable groups of people such as the internally displaced, children, minorities, the disabled and women FHRI advocates penal reform through prison visits, training, dialogue and policy analysis.

In 2003, FHRI launched a long-term campaign against the death penalty in Uganda, bringing the issue before the Constitutional Court through a constitutional petition.
In 2005, the court ruled that the death penalty was constitutional but repealed mandatory death sentences and ruled that condemned prisoners could not spend more than three years on death row. The ongoing campaign saw the formation of a Civil Society Coalition on the Abolition of the Death Penalty, spearheaded by FHRI.
FHRI has observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.

Date founded

1991             

Structure type

NGO             

World Coalition Steering Committee member

Contact informations

Kampala Plot 1853 Lulume Road, Nsambya
Block 15
P.O Box 11027 Kampala
Phone +256 41 46 60 710
Fax +256 41 51 04 98

Resources

Document(s)

Uganda – Universal Periodic Review – Death Penalty – July 2021

on 21 July 2021


2021

NGO report

World Coalition

Uganda


More details Download [ pdf - 336 Ko ]

This report addresses Uganda’s compliance with its international human rights obligations with respect to the death penalty. The report examines and discusses the current state of the death penalty in Uganda, including (1) the broad scope of crimes that are eligible for the death penalty; (2) the lack of effective access to counsel in capital cases; (3) the occurrence of extrajudicial killings.

This report recommends that Uganda adopt a number of key steps to better align its death penalty practices with Uganda’s international human rights obligations. These steps include the following: establishing an official, de jure moratorium on the death penalty; reducing the number and scope of crimes that are eligible for the death penalty; reducing the maximum possible sentence from death to one that is fair, proportionate and in compliance with international human rights standards; and other measures

  • Document type NGO report / World Coalition
  • Countries list Uganda

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