105 Ugandan and international organisations have written to President

Uganda: Civil Society Seeks Independent Inquiry Into April Killings Broad Coalition Presses President for Invitation to UN Special Rapporteur (Kampala, June 15, 2011) – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni should ensure independent and transparent investigations into killings which occurred during the “Walk to Work” protests and hold security forces accountable, a coalition of 105 human rights, media, and development organizations said in a letter to the president today. The coalition, including civil society groups from every corner of Uganda, urged the president to invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions. During the April 2011 protests over the rising costs of commodities and the arrest of opposition leaders, police and military responded to protesters with live ammunition in Kampala, Gulu, Mbale, and Masaka, leaving at least nine unarmed people dead. The known circumstances of the deaths to date indicate that the use of lethal force was unnecessary and unjustified. The government has arrested hundreds of protesters and put significant resources into investigating alleged acts of looting, arson, and destruction of property, but little effort has gone into investigating killings by security forces, the groups said. Some government officials have contended that those killed were violent protesters. One victim‟s family was told at the morgue that they were not permitted to retrieve the body because “all these people died while attempting to overthrow the government.” “Blaming the victims is a weak ploy to distract attention from the actions of the security forces,”
said Arthur Larok of the Uganda National NGO Forum. “The government needs to determine what really happened and to make sure that those responsible are held responsible.” One police officer has been arrested in the shooting of 2-year-old Julian Nalwanga by police in Masaka. In a May 17 opinion article by Museveni in several Ugandan newspapers, he referred to the shooting as a “criminal killing.” The government has said the police officer will face trial before military courts, despite a 2009 ruling by the Constitutional Court barring prosecution of civilians before military jurisdictions. No one else has been arrested in connection with the other deaths of unarmed civilians. Impunity for serious crimes by members of the security forces, especially during political demonstrations, persists in Uganda, the coalition, which includes 95 Ugandan organizations, said. Ugandan law guarantees the right to free assembly, speech, and association, but in practice the government has often responded to the exercise of these rights with firearms and lethal force. In September 2009, at least 40 people were killed by security forces during two days of protests in Kampala after the authorities sought to restrict the movement of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the cultural leader of the Buganda ethnic group. Human Rights Watch documented numerous instances in which unarmed protesters and bystanders died after police and military police used live ammunition to scare people off the streets or shot into people's homes. Despite numerous
commitments by government ministers and Uganda's parliament to investigate those events, no one has been held accountable for those killings, and the police and soldiers responsible have never been punished. “We have seen the government promise investigations before, but in the end, nothing happens and perpetrators remain in active service,” said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The president should show that things will be different this time and listen to civil society by ensuring an independent investigation with international expertise.” The groups also called upon Uganda, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, to cooperate fully with the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression and invite these international experts to Uganda. In 1986 Museveni‟s government extended an invitation and was host to the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions. Uganda should issue standing invitations to all special rapporteurs and UN working groups to visit Uganda, the groups said. This engagement with the UN would facilitate the necessary investigations and help ensure present and future accountability. “An invitation to the Special Rapporteurs would demonstrate that Uganda is committed to rule of law and understands the importance of accountability,” said Mohammed Ndifuna, chief executive officer at HURINET-Uganda. “It is time for the government to stop ignoring killings during demonstrations.” To read the letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: http://www.hrw.org/node/99863 For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Uganda, please visit: http://www.hrw.org/en/africa/uganda For more information, please contact: In Kampala, for Uganda National NGO Forum, Arthur Larok (English, Acholi): +256-782-385- 818 In Kampala, for Human Rights Network, Patrick Tumwine (English): +256-772-315-896; or http://www.hurinet.or.ug/
In Kampala, for Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Sheila Muwanga (English): +256-773-486-911 In Kampala, for Human Rights Watch, Maria Burnett (English, French): +256-775-561348 (mobile); or maria.burnett@hrw.org Ugandan NGO, Union, and Individual Sign Ons:
1. Human Rights Network (HURINET-U), Kampala
2. National NGO Forum, Kampala
3. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), Kampala
4. MAYANK Anti-Corruption Coalition, Moyo, Adjumani, Yumbe, Arua, Nebbi and Koboko
5. Human Rights Focus (HURIFO), Gulu
6. Uganda Youth Network, Kampala
7. African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), Kampala
8. Stella Mukasa, Kampala
9. Pallisa Civil Society Organizations' Network (PACONET), Pallisa
10. East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Kampala
11. Livelihoods Improvement Programme (LIPRO) Uganda
12. Rushenyi Youths Peace for Nature, Ntungamo
13. Advocates for Public International Law in Uganda (APILU), Kampala
14. Community Development Resource Network (CDRN), Kampala
15. Western Ankole Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), Ankole
16. Coalition of Ppivate Schools Teachers Association (COUPSTA), Kampala
17. Recreation and Development Programme (RDP), Masindi
18. Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform, Kampala
19. Peter Wandera, Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Assocations ( DENIVA), Kampala
20. Ahmed Wetaka, Mbale
21. Aggrey Mugisha, Chairman, Uganda National Civic Education Consortium (UNACO), Kampala
22. Katushabe Edrine, Kabale
23. Mugamba Ronald Kakembo, Human Rights Centre Uganda, Kampala
24. Flavia Zalwango, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum Uganda (HRAPF), Nakulabye, Kampala
25. Angel Valeria, Member, Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), Kampala
26. Sydey Etima-Ojara, Programme Officer, Democratic Accountability, Democratic Governance and Accountability Programme (DGAP), Kampala
27. Human Rights Target (HRT), Luwero
28. Youth Revival Association (YRA), Kampala
29. Kasubi Community Development Association (KAKODA), Wakiso
30. Kalangala Human Rights Defenders (KHRD), Kalangala
31. Bukoggolwa Widows and Orphans Care Centre (BWOCC), Mpigi
32. Pastoral Women Alliance to Break Cultural Chains (PWABC), Kiboga
33. Action for Human Rights and Civic Awareness (AHURICA), Kayunga
34. Lira Women Peace Initiative (LIWEPI), Lira
35. Human Rights and Paralegal Services (HUPAS), Busia
36. Rashid Bunya, Member, Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU ), Kibuli, Kampala
37. The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association, Kampala
38. The Human Rights Network for Journalists, Kampala
39. Northern Uganda Journalist Press Association, Gulu
40. Eastern Uganda Journalists Press Association, Busia
41. Kabale Journalists Press Association, Kabale
42. Action for Human Rights and Civic Awareness, Kayunga, Mukono
43. Rwenzori Peace Bridge for Reconciliation, Kasese
44. Gomba Paralegals Association, Gomba, Butambala
45. National Human Rights Association of Uganda, Mbale
46. Crispy Kaheru, National Coordinator, Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU), Kampala
47. Janet Tuhirwe, Bushenyi
48. Jenga Afrika, Kampala
49. International Anti Corruption Theatre Movement (IATM), Kampala
50. Nakaweesi Solome Kimbugwe- Independent Consultant and Feminist Activist, Kampala
51. Hope after Rape, Kampala
52. Platform for Labor Action, Kampala
53. Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence (RECESVID), Kampala
54. Enid Wamani, Kampala
55. Uganda Health & Science Press Association (UHSPA), Kampala
56. Western Ankole Civil Society Forum - WACSOF (Bushenyi, Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi and Mitooma Districts)
57. Twerwaneho Listeners Club, Fort Portal
58. Human Rights Network for Journalists, Kampala
59. Global Rights Alert, Kampala
60. Soroti Development Association & NGOs Network (SODANN), Soroti
61. Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development (SIPD), Kampala
62. Justice and Reconciliation Project, Gulu
63. Mathias Mangeni, Coordinator, Human Rights Paralegal Advisory Services, Kampala
64. Public Affairs Centre of Uganda (PAC Uganda), Soroti
65. „Kapchorwa Civil Society Organizations‟ Alliance (KACSOA), Kapchorwa
66. Coalition of Private Schools Teachers‟ Association (COUPSTA), Kampala
67. Community Development and Welfare Initiatives (CODI), Luwero
68. Facilitation for Peace and Development, Lira
69. Mid-Western Uganda Region Anti Corruption Coalition (MIRAC), Bunyoro
70. Tororo Civil Society Organizations Network (TOCINET), Tororo
71. Bugiri District NGO Forum, Bugiri
72. Africa Leadership Institute (AFLI), Kampala
73. Kisoro NGO Forum, Kisoro
74. Gulu NGO Forum, Gulu
75. Masindi District NGO Forum, Masindi
76. Bugisu Civil Society Network, Bugisu
77. Iganga District NGO Forum, Iganga
78. The Apac Anti corruption Coalition, Apac
79. Apac NGO Link Forum, Apac
80. Rwenzori Anti Corruption Coalition, Rwenzori
81. Kamwenge District Development Organization, Kamwenge
82. Kabarole Research and Resource Center, Kabarole
83. Action for Development (ACFODE), Kampala
84. Uganda National Farmers‟ Federation, Kampala
85. Uganda National Teachers‟ Union, Kampala
86. National Debate Council, Kampala
87. Dora K. Musinguzi, Executive Director, Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), Kampala
88. Refugee Law Project, Kampala
89. Eastern Africa Media Institute, Kampala
90. Uganda Muslims Youth Assembly (UMYA), Kampala
91. Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF), Kampala
92. Platform for Citizens Participation and Accountability, Kampala
93. Busoga Media Network, Jinja
94. Rwenzori Press Club, Kasese
95. Kitara Union of Media Practitioners, Hoima
International Sign Ons:
96. Human Rights Watch (HRW), Kampala and New York, USA
97. Tchérina Jerolon, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Paris, France
98. ENOUGH Project, Washington, DC, USA
99. East African School of Human Rights, Nairobi, Kenya
100. Human Rights First, New York, USA
101. RESOLVE, Washington, DC, USA
102. Foreign Policy In Focus, Washington, DC, USA
103. Africa Action, Washington, DC, USA
104. Africa Faith and Justice Network, Washington, DC, USA
105. Health GAP, Global Access Project, New York, USA