18.6 C
Kampala
March 29, 2024
  • Home
  • News
  • Civil society organizations launch a project to counter restrictive anti-NGO measures
News

Civil society organizations launch a project to counter restrictive anti-NGO measures

By Kabuye Ronald

Civil society organizations have on Thursday morning launched a project to counter restrictive anti-Non-Governmental Organizations NGO measures by government

The civil society organization which include Youth Line Forum, The Alternative UG, Twerwaneho Listener’s Club and the Global focus Claim Your Space, believe that  Civil Society is the oxygen of democracy hence all actors in the Civic Space should work together  to counter restrictive anti-NGO measures.

They say the Claim Your Space Project is as a result of the urge to work together to push back against the shrinking civic space through lobbying, protests, strategic litigation and cross-sectorial coalitions and ensure the protection and promotion of Civic Space in Uganda.

“As Civil Society Actors, we commit ourselves to dialoguing with Government, Our regulators; NGO Bureau, Financial Intelligence Authority, Ministry of Finance, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Key Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations on how best we can protect and promote civic space, for example through pushing for opening up of Facebook that is a medium of expression and engagement for many citizens especially the Youth”. He continues to call upon for citizen Lead campaigns to push government to open up Facebook as well as seek legal bodies’ to support in taking Government to court for breach of its constitutional obligation to ensure the wellbeing of its people by closing a digital platform that enables majority of the youth to advertise their businesses and earn an income.” Said Musana Robert the Programs Coordinator of Youth Line Forum

follow the link to download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smog.narasports

The Executive Director Of The Alternative Uganda, Mr Tumuhimbise Norman challenged   the Government to re-examine its fiscal policy such as the 12% tax levied on the internet and the high internet costs which translate into a violation of people’s rights to internet access which is a prerequisite to digital assembly, association and communication most especially in this COVID19 era. Ugandans are encouraged to challenge in courts of law the 1935 Public Health Act that is being used for COVID19 response because it is archaic, outdated and out touch with the existential realities of a 21st century nation

They also assert that corona virus is not just a public health issue but a civic concern. Saying that the imposition of curfews, closure of parliaments, lockdowns, suppression of freedoms such as assembly and physical association are all a test of democracy, human rights and civil liberties. Adding that for Uganda, civic space is being threatened by not only the pandemic but also state fear of civic actors in governance and human rights sector.

The Team Leader of Twerwaneho Listener’s Club urged interested Ugandans to record and prosecute in courts of law all perpetrators of human rights violation. And parliament to legislate in the interests of the people. Laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Computer Misuse Act which have clauses that support state surveillance and privacy breaches should be amended to ensure the privacy and data of Ugandans is protected.

“Government must improve on the room and flexibility for the number of cases filed before national and regional Courts in a period of 12 months, pushing for Legal reforms with the aim of protecting non-governmental organisations that are set to promote and protect civic space in Uganda needs to become easier. A case in point is the closure of valid NGOs with the same cause as us, and those against the restrictions on peaceful assemblies, internet shutdowns that deprive people access to information and curfews that have proven controversial must be free to operate as the laws of Uganda stipulate.”

Related posts

Police to continue arresting suspects on narcotics related offences

Admin

How i got to my destination without money, you can also debate without English.

Admin

The fallacy of a clean city and the plight of street vendors

Admin

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy