MRG’s alternative report examines the Ugandan government’s adherence to its obligations
Minority Rights Group International, in partnership with the Benet Mosop Indigenous Community Association, Benet Lobby Group, Africa International Christian Ministry and Action For Batwa Empowerment Group, has submitted a written alternative report to the Ugandan government’s combined periodic report for the period 2013-2022, on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights ahead of the 77th African Commission Session scheduled from 20 October to 9 November 2023.
The alternative report offers alternative information in response to the combined periodic report from the Government of Uganda, submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) under Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights for the period 2013–2022. It focuses largely on how much the Ugandan government has adhered to its obligations under the African Charter concerning indigenous peoples and communities.
Our recommendations
MRG’s recommendations in the alternative report include:
- In consultation with Indigenous Peoples, amend the Constitution to officially recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples according to their self-determination, to grant them full citizenship rights and to end any unjust discrimination based on birth, race, ethnicity, or any other ground.
- To amend the Third Schedule to the Constitution by updating the list of indigenous peoples in Uganda to include those indigenous peoples who are left out from the list.
- Urge the Government of Uganda to promptly and exhaustively investigate allegations of harassment of indigenous members and human rights defenders, protect victims of harassment to ensure their safety and provide redress;
- Urge the Government of Uganda to refrain from taking any steps that criminalize indigenous activists and human rights defenders because of any advocacy undertaken on behalf of their respective communities.
- Adopt rights-based approaches to conservation and natural resource co-management and recognize and ensure the right of indigenous peoples to be fully and effectively consulted in all matters relating to their land and resources
- Enact a law that recognizes the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in the management of land and natural resources;
- Enact legislation that allows for ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples to govern, conserve and manage their lands, even when these lands overlap with public forest lands, in line with their right to property and self-determination under the African Charter.
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