Uganda, represented by the Permanent Mission in Geneva, is participating in the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. The session will run from 1
The session will run from 1st to 12th May 2017. The 27th session also marks the beginning of the 3rd cycle of the UPR after the 2nd Cycle, during which Uganda was reviewed, ended successfully in March 2017.
As of 4th May 2017, Uganda led by Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Lawrence Benedict Lukwiya had participated in the review of 6 of the following 12 countries: Bahrain, Ecuador, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, India, Brazil, Philippines, Netherlands, Algeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Uganda further noted from the UK report that domestic violence was the most pervasive form of violence against women in the UK and that would require a more consistent and coherent human rights-based approach in Government response.
Uganda also commended the UK Government for fulfilling its financial commitments to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN Trust Funds as well as to international development in general.
The UPR is a unique Member-state driven process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all the 193 UN Member States based on objective and reliable information on the fulfilment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner that ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States. It provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve their human rights situations and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. This also includes a sharing of best human rights practices with the ultimate goal of improving human rights situation in every country around the globe.
Uganda has undergone two successful reviews in 2012 and 2016 respectively. The first review in 2012 established the basis for the development of a new National Action Plan on Human Rights to facilitate implementation of the recommendations received during the review as well as commitments under other UN Treaty Bodies. Uganda delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa presented the national progress report and shared Uganda’s experience with the Working Group during the second review which was held in October 2016
