Human rights observance is a critical feature of Uganda’s governance and the rule of law as emphasized in the Vision 2040. The Sub-programme is focusing on strengthening JLOS institutions to eliminate human rights violations as well as promoting citizens’ rights and obligations within the framework of the National Action Plan for Human Rights.

 A total of 350 out of the 582 (60%) complaints were reported against JLOS institutional staff. The alleged human rights violations reported against JLOS institutions were against UPF (319), UPS (14) and Local Governments (17). The sub-programme adopted a human rights-based approach. 35. There is a 43.9% reduction in alleged human rights violations by JLOS Institutions compared to the 624 cases reported in FY2016/17.

Compliance with the 48hrs rule is still low, the capacity of JLOS human rights structures at service points is still low. There is delayed approval of the Uganda National Action Plan on Human Rights as well as limited enforcement of existing legal and policy frameworks on human rights. There is limited capacity of staff in human rights-based approach and there exist inefficient and ineffective Human Rights case management systems JLOS institutions. There is therefore need to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of Human Rights promotion institutions, build capacity of duty bearers, strengthen treaty reporting and undertake human rights violation targeting.

Human rights violation and abuses are partly caused by lack of information by the citizens about their rights and where to claim for protection. The Sub-programme has commenced the development of a coherent framework that would streamline and further guide knowledge empowerment of the people of Uganda. Specifically, the UHRC and JSC commenced the development of a civic education strategy that will among others support compliance with legal and human rights, provide for platforms for social accountability, re-enforce participatory governance, and foster constitutionalism and the rule of law. Despite the efforts thus far there is still limited awareness on human rights standards and citizens ‘responsibilities as well as limited dissemination of information on human rights.

Fight against corruption

Uganda’s corruption perception index continued to improve from 0.24 to 0.26 and the clearance rate of corruption cases by the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) increased from 96% in 2016/17 to 97.7% in 2019 while the clearance rate of complaints against lawyers, police and JLOS officers increased from 75% in 2016/17 to 97.7% in 2019.

The implementation of the Sub-programme anti-corruption strategy is largely on track. There is effort to asset recovery by the ODPP for restraining properties of officers implicated in corruption cases. Consequently, 7% of the value of proceeds of crimes was recovered vis-à-vis the set target of 20%. 39. The low performance was due to; on-going valuation process of some properties, high cost of valuation, understaffing in Government Valuation Department. There is however need for a comprehensive asset recovery framework, de-concentration of ACD service to regional level and up-country stations; promote automation; fast track enactment of relevant legislation and strengthen the anti-corruption forum.