As Uganda today joins the rest of the world to mark the global human rights day, the United Nations Human rights office of the high commissioner country representative to Uganda Uchenna Emelonye has challenged the government to work hard on improving the human rights status in the country. Uchenna adds that though it’s the obligation of the state to protect the rights of the citizens, they claim their rights through citizen participation to create a harmonious environment for each and every one.
He called on government to review and reveal the command and the law in which the crime preventers are operating as they execute their duties. He said that there are still a number of gaps in the formation, creation and operations of this group which he further fears may end up abusing the rights of Ugandans.
The third prime minister and minister for East Africa, Ali Kirunda Kiveyijinja, advised Ugandans to be mindful of how to exercise their rights not to cause exclusive sections of people to enjoy these rights at the expense of the others.
However, the executive director, Human Rights Network – Uganda (HURINET) Muhammed Ndifuuna said that the steps which are used by the state to choose the members of the crime preventers group are not right since the community is not involved in their identification.