The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Gulu district in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Council and other human rights bodies are preparing to commemorate the 70th Human Rights Day slated for the December 10, in Gulu town. The Day will be marked under the theme, “Stand up for Human Rights”.

Addressing Journalists at Northern Uganda Media Club “NUMEC), Nicolas Ogwang, the regional manager Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC)-Gulu, said that celebrating the Day is derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. He said it important to mark the Day as it enables people across the world to know their rights, become actors and work hard to ensure that rights of other people are respected.

Geoffrey Okello director NGO Forum also noted that they are taking this period for education and awareness on human rights. The Day’s celebrations in Uganda will run concurrently with 16 days of gender activism.

However, Immaculate Acayo quality assurance program manager at Gulu Women Economic Development & Globalization (GWED G ) said a lot of inequalities exist ranging from gender based violence, discrimination, denial of women’s and orphan’s rights to properties among others. She said it was high time such issues are addressed. She called concerted efforts combat human rights abuses in communities.

Chali Olawole Mongadji, from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner said that the event is important as it strengthens the human rights law.

The preparation team is to visit the prisoners at Gulu main prison and dialogue with them on human right matter.

In Uganda, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is mandated to ensure that people’s rights are protected.

Article 52 (1) of the 1995 Constitution lays down the following functions of the Commission: To investigate , at its own initiative or on a complaint made by any person or group of persons against the violation of any human right, visit jails, prisons, and places of detention or related facilities with a view of assessing and inspecting conditions of the inmates and make recommendations, to establish a continuing programme of research, education and information to enhance respect of human rights.

Others are to: To recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human rights including provision of compensation to victims of violations of human rights or their families, create and sustain within society the awareness of the provisions of this constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Uganda, educate and encourage the public to defend this Constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation, formulate , implement, and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Uganda awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as free people and monitor the Government’s compliance with intentional treaty and convention obligations on human rights.

Article 52 (2) also requires the Commission to publish periodical reports and submit annual reports to Parliament on the state of human rights and freedoms in the country.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 10, 1948 General Assembly resolution as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.

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GULU-The National Water and sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has committed to ensure stable water supply for the residents of Gulu municipality.

In a recent engagement with the stakeholders, Engineer Silver Mugisha, the Managing director of NWSC, assured the stakeholders that the corporation was more than ready to ensure that the piped water shortages in Gulu do not re-appear again, like it used to following the water crisis in 2015.

Eng. Mugisha said NWSC was at advanced stages to draw water from River Nile, besides rectifying the pipelines.

He was hopeful that Umeme will stabilise electricity supply in Gulu which is essential in water supply. He said distributing water to customers using generators is expensive.

Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng, the Chairman Acholi Religious Leaders and Peace Initiative (ARLPI) in his remarks urged NWSC to team up with other stakeholders to extend piped water to the rural areas.

“We want clean Water for all Ugandans and it should be extended to the rural areas,” he said.

Gulu district Chairman Martin Ojara Mapenduzi recalled that when in 2015 Oyitino Dam that supplies Gulu town dried up, NWSC came in fast to build more boreholes.

He appealed to the leadership of Gulu to leave behind their political differences and concentrate more in constructive engagements that attract more investors to the town.

George Labeja, the Gulu Municipal Mayor, said the town was not well planned initially but that as a municipal authority, they will do their best to have water and UMEME power lines laid in such a way that the lines don’t interfere with the development in the municipality which is preparing for the city status.

Mr. Labeja appealed to political leaders in the area to welcome development with one heart.

Stephen Gang, the branch Manager NWSC Gulu, said they have drilled six high hill motorized water pumps in the municipality as a way of stabilizing the water supply in town and the surrounding areas.

“The business of drying off of Oyitino dam and water crisis shall no longer be there,” he said

At the moment, 37.5 kilometers of the area in Gulu is covered with piped water lines within Gulu Municipality and the Corporation is expecting to cover 40 kilometers to avail constant water supply in Gulu.

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