MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF LIBERAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY ARCHEOLOGY AND HERITAGE
STUDIES
NAME : MADANDA IVAN
STUDENT NO : 240070.....
REG. NO : 2024/HD03/.....
COURSE NAME : A HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
COURSE CODE : HIS 720...1
LECTURER : DR. SEKITO ZAID
QUESTION : WRITE A HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATION REPORT ON KAWEMPE NORTH BY ELECTIONS
FOLLOWING THE MODEL OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OR HUMAN
RIGHTS WATCH.
, A REPORT ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION DURING KAWEMPE
NORTH BY ELECTIONS FOLLOWING THE MODEL OF AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
Introduction
The Kawempe North by-election was held in Kampala District,
Uganda, on 13th March, 2025. The election that started peacefully
later became a battleground for fundamental human rights. The by-
election followed the death of constituent member of parliament the
Late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. The by-election exposed deep-
rooted and systemic violations of civil liberties. This report presents
findings of widespread human rights abuses committed during the
Kawempe North by-election, detailing arbitrary arrests, suppression
of peaceful assembly, voter intimidation, excessive use of force by
security personnel, and censorship of media. The report has based
on reports from the Uganda Human Rights Commission, online
newspapers and written sources such as internationally recognised
human rights instruments. This report analyses the degree of
human rights violation during the Kawempe North by election and
suggests recommendations for the government.
Background
The constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for
representation of the people. Under this, Article 59 of the
constitution protects the right to vote. The right to vote is
fundamental because it directly affects other rights to the extent
that the leaders voted into power determine whether the rule of law
will be upheld or not.1 Every citizen of Uganda of eighteen years of
age or above has a right to vote. In Uganda, the legal age of
adulthood is eighteen. This places a duty on every citizen of 18
years of age and above to register as a voter for public elections or
referenda. The majority of Ugandans do not exercise their right to
vote, especially those in rural areas because of a lack of awareness.
1
The Uganda Constitution. Article 59.
1
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF LIBERAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY ARCHEOLOGY AND HERITAGE
STUDIES
NAME : MADANDA IVAN
STUDENT NO : 240070.....
REG. NO : 2024/HD03/.....
COURSE NAME : A HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
COURSE CODE : HIS 720...1
LECTURER : DR. SEKITO ZAID
QUESTION : WRITE A HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATION REPORT ON KAWEMPE NORTH BY ELECTIONS
FOLLOWING THE MODEL OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OR HUMAN
RIGHTS WATCH.
, A REPORT ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION DURING KAWEMPE
NORTH BY ELECTIONS FOLLOWING THE MODEL OF AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
Introduction
The Kawempe North by-election was held in Kampala District,
Uganda, on 13th March, 2025. The election that started peacefully
later became a battleground for fundamental human rights. The by-
election followed the death of constituent member of parliament the
Late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. The by-election exposed deep-
rooted and systemic violations of civil liberties. This report presents
findings of widespread human rights abuses committed during the
Kawempe North by-election, detailing arbitrary arrests, suppression
of peaceful assembly, voter intimidation, excessive use of force by
security personnel, and censorship of media. The report has based
on reports from the Uganda Human Rights Commission, online
newspapers and written sources such as internationally recognised
human rights instruments. This report analyses the degree of
human rights violation during the Kawempe North by election and
suggests recommendations for the government.
Background
The constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for
representation of the people. Under this, Article 59 of the
constitution protects the right to vote. The right to vote is
fundamental because it directly affects other rights to the extent
that the leaders voted into power determine whether the rule of law
will be upheld or not.1 Every citizen of Uganda of eighteen years of
age or above has a right to vote. In Uganda, the legal age of
adulthood is eighteen. This places a duty on every citizen of 18
years of age and above to register as a voter for public elections or
referenda. The majority of Ugandans do not exercise their right to
vote, especially those in rural areas because of a lack of awareness.
1
The Uganda Constitution. Article 59.
1
