FHRI Champions the formation of a University Human Rights Network in Uganda

In the year 2006, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) started reaching out to university students with awareness sessions on human rights, with an objective; to enable University students to understand human rights and its correct application in their future professional life, nurture a vibrant movement of students who are passionate about a human rights culture in Uganda.

The initiative was appreciated and as a result, students formed and registered human rights clubs in their respective universities. Originally, five (5) universities benefitted, including; Bugema University, Kampala International University, Kampala University- Ggaba, Ndejje University and Nkumba University.

Later, the movement received overwhelming demand from other Universities; increasing the number from 5 in 2006 to 23 in 2014. In order to keep one another informed of the activities, the clubs further formed the University Students’ Human Rights Network (USHRN) which is constantly updated through social media platforms such as face book and twitter.

Current Membership

To date, the 23 member universities to the network include; Makerere University, Nkumba University, Uganda Christian University- Mukono, Bugema, Kampala University- Gbaba, Kampala International University, St. Lawrence University, Ndejje University, Muteesa 1 Royal University, Uganda Martyrs University – Nkozi and Busitema University. Others are; Gulu University, Uganda Christian University- Arua, Kampala University- Jinja, Busoga University, Mountains of the Moon University, Uganda Pentecostal University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kumi University, Islamic University in Uganda- Mbale, Islamic University in Uganda- Kabojja, Kyambogo University and Cavendish University  all with registered human rights clubs.

Club Activities

Members of the human rights clubs are engaged in a series of activities in the field of human rights and social work both within the universities and the community at large:

Human rights seminars; this activity aims at enhancing research skills and human rights knowledge among students. Each year, each University organizes a seminar, to discuss topics that are key to human rights, democratic governance and accountability in Uganda such as; electoral democracy, the right to a fair hearing, right to participation, multiparty democracy in Uganda, the concept of “responsible citizenship” among others. At such events, prominent professionals in academia, judiciary and social development are invited to share with and guide the students in their presentations.

Internal Human Rights Debates; debates are organized regularly (about thrice a year) to strengthen students’ debating and public speaking skills. Like seminars, the debates involve conducting research on key governance and social issues which creates awareness among the young students but also prepares them to become future good leaders.

Annual Inter- University Human Rights Competition; This has proved to be the most exciting activity and embraced by all, given its ability to convene over twenty (20) universities to compete in a public debate. Each university is assigned a topic to conduct thorough research and make presentation. A team of experienced, multi-disciplinary professionals adjudicate the competitions and pronounce the winner. The event which is hosted by the member university at a time has enlisted attendance of prominent people, who all applaud the initiative for strengthening young people’s leadership skills.Kampala International University hosted the first, second and third Inter - University competitions in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively with Justice Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba as chief guest. The 4th event took place at Kyambogo University and was graced by the former Chief Justice of Uganda Hon. Benjamin Odoki, while the 5th and 6th happened at Nkumba University (2012) and Uganda Christian University- Mukono (2013) respectively.

The 7^th human rights competition

In 2014, the Inter- University Human Rights competition event will be hosted by St. Lawrence University on Friday, 7^th March 2014, at the university campus near the Kabaka’s lake in Kampala. Twenty three (23) universities with over 600 students will participate and different from the previous ones, the 7th competition awards will also include cash prizes, an incentive that will also contribute to sustainability by supporting the club activities.

The university human rights clubs are further involved in community and charity work. Uganda Christian University club has helped the sick in the surrounding community while the USHRN paid a visit to Kasangati prison and Nsambya babies’ home in 2013. Gulu University has replicated the Inter – University activity for Secondary schools in the Northern region

The role of the University administration

The university administrations are increasingly playing an immense role. The administrations do support the clubs internally and during the Inter- University Human Rights Competition. The cooperation of the; guild councils,club patrons and the offices of the Dean of students, in regard to students’ activities and external events is paramount. With this relationship, FHRI will continue to nurture students into strong human rights defenders and leaders, gradually contribute to the development of human rights culture in Uganda.