Speech by Hon. Rebecca A. Kadaga.

On 6th and 7th March, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) held its 8th Inter-University competitions at Busitema University in Tororo. The current speaker of Parliament; Hon. Rebecca A.Kadaga graced the event as the guest of honor. Here is the Speech she made;

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has backed Human Rights Clubs in Universities and Tertiary Institutions in the country noting that such movements are a stepping stone into ensuring that human rights become a living reality in communities throughout the country.

She made the remarks in her speech read by Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth M.P Budama West County at the 8^th Inter-University Human Rights Competition held at Busitema University from the 6^th to the 7^th of March 2015.

“The participation of students in human rights club activities through their respective institutions will carry forward the message of human rights and help instil human rights principles in generations to come” read part of the speech.

Kadaga noted that providing a platform such as this not only helps celebrate the constitution, rights and duties but also free the potential of each student participating inspiring one another to look deeper into themselves and ask the important question of what they can do to make contribution to their communities, societies and the country at large.

“We need not to look very far to understand human rights, we need not to look to the greater walls of the United Nations, human rights begin in the communities we live in, the schools and institutions we go to, work places and homes. It’s in these very places that we all seek equality, human dignity, advancement of human rights, freedom and social justice. Engaging the young generation is therefore very key.” Read part of the speech.

Human Rights are rights inherent to all human beings whatever one’s nationality, place of residence, sex, national or infinity origin, colour, religion, language or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. Human rights are all inter-related, inter- dependent, and indivisible.

Universal Human Rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law in the form of treaties, customary laws, national laws, general principles, and international laws. International human rights laws lay down obligations of government to act in certain ways or to refrain in certain ways in acts in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.

Kadaga noted that all over the world today, the rights of men and women are being threatened by individuals who do not value the need for others to equally enjoy the gift of life and access to life’s available necessities.

“The parliament of Uganda considers human rights as a very important aspect. This is why the human rights committee was created in May 2012 with mandate to ensure compliance with human rights standards in all businesses before parliament. This was a wide mandate that required a sense of direction on how to proceed given the enormous business handled in parliament which include bills, policy matters, statements, petitions and motions.” Read part of the speech.

The committee further went ahead and developed a checklist to the members and executive on what they need to comply with before introducing any business in the house. The checklist was developed in consultation with various stakeholders among them Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, The Uganda Human Rights Commission, United Nations office of the high commissioner on human rights and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs among other.