OTUKE, UGANDA – In a concerted effort to combat a surge of human rights violations, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has rallied human rights defenders, civil society, and local leaders in Otuke District, calling for a unified front against issues ranging from gender-based violence to the illegal mediation of serious crimes.
The dialogue, held at the Otuke District Council hall under KAS's ‘Human Rights, Our Concern’ project, served as a stark platform where pressing issues plaguing the community were brought to the forefront.
Mr. Samson Okurut, a representative of the project, emphasized the critical need for such localized engagements. "This project is currently being implemented in 14 districts across Uganda," Okurut stated. "Addressing recurring rights violations and building a responsive human rights culture begins with understanding and tackling the unique challenges in each community like Otuke."
Mrs. Brenda Akullo, the District Probation Officer, delivered a sobering account from multiple fronts. She detailed appalling conditions within the local prison, citing severe overcrowding and a lack of basic facilities. Turning to the education sector, she reported a "very high rate of corporal punishment" and cramped dormitories where three pupils are forced to share a single bed.
Akullo also decried the crisis of "poor parenting" in the community, which she said continues to violate children's rights, and appealed to school leaders and local officials to take decisive action.
In a particularly grave revelation, concerns were raised over a dangerous community practice: the mediation of serious criminal cases, including capital offences, by local elders. This practice, officials warned, severely undermines formal legal procedures and denies justice to victims.
Echoing the severity of the situation, Mr. Ocen Sylvester, the Senior Community Development Officer (CDO), raised the alarm on the "high level of Gender-Based Violence, land grabbing, domestic violence, and violence against children in schools."
Mr. Ocen stressed that the situation demands a consolidated effort. "There is a need for a unified approach to tackle human rights violations in the region," he asserted. "This requires consistent collaboration between civil society, government institutions, and community members."
He lauded the efforts of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for its ongoing partnership with the leadership of Otuke District, recognizing the vital role such support plays in amplifying local voices and driving change.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to strengthen reporting mechanisms, enhance public awareness, and foster closer collaboration between citizens and government agencies to protect the fundamental rights of all residents in Otuke District.
