The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Hoima Regional Office says that its scope of work is limited in the fight against human rights violations vis-à-vis public expectations.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Human Rights Officer, Mr Innocent Habimana, told stakeholders at a Regional Dialogue on Corporate Accountability in Hoima city that their mandate is restricted and so they cannot be solely relied upon to fight human rights violations.
“Human rights promotion and protection is a duty of all citizens and what we normally emphasise is that let us work together as we make referrals for cases outside our mandate,” he said.
Mr Habimana was reacting to widespread allegations of human rights violations in Bunyoro sub-region involving corporate organisations in the face of leaders and the UHRC.
Mistreatment of workers, child labour and water and air pollution especially in the sugarcane industry were among the violations mentioned as demanding attention of all human rights defenders.
The East African Regional Consultant Bank Information Centre, Ms Allen Tushabe, urged all human rights defenders to keep an eye on the increasing number of corporate entities in the Albertine region due to oil development.
She said that by experience, a lot happens inside the fences of those companies making the vulnerable more disadvantaged.
Counsel Gilbert Tibasiima who is also the Buliisa District Local Council Vice Chairperson, said that as local leaders, they have tried their level best to approach some oil sector players on any complaints from their workers and have been addressed.
“Issues to do with contracts, remitting NSSF [National Social Security Funds], work without contracts and staff dismissal without considering the law are some of the issues we have been grappling with. We followed up all cases that are brought to our attention against some sub-contractors and have been addressed,” he said.
The dialogue was organised by the Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability (UCCA) in partnership with Navigators of Development Association (NAVODA)), Buliisa Rural Development Organisation (BIRUDO) and Lake Albert Children and Women Advocacy and Development Organisation (LACWADO).
Mr Joseph Byaruhanga, the Consortium Coordinator, called for solidarity to hold corporate organisations accountable to international best practices of respecting environmental and human rights as developments take place.
He said there are 25 Civil Society Organisations subscribing to UCCA and those interested can be registered after demonstrating commitment to hold conglomerates accountable.
Mr Benon Tusingwire, the NAVODA Executive Director, said that they face a challenge of some corporate organisations undermining the role of civil society organisations by closing their door against any engagement on human rights issues.
