A delegation from Zimbabwe has met with officials from Uganda to benchmark on best practices in human rights delegation.
The nine-man team from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission led by commissioner, Martin Muduva met and held discussions with their counterparts from Uganda Human Rights Commission led by commissioner Shifra Lukwago who represented the chairperson of the commission, Mariam Wangadya.
Lukwago told the commission that UHRC was established under article 51 of the Constitution.
“Members of the commission are appointed by president and approved by parliament. This doesn’t take away our independence. We are therefore not under anyone and we don’t entertain orders from any person,” Lukwago told the visiting delegation.
She said as part of their mandate, UHRC strives to protect and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms in Uganda by standing on integrity, transparency and fairness in execution of their mandate.
“We don’t discriminate anybody basing on religion, colour, political party or anything. We visit places of detention without announcing to ensure they adhere to human rights.”
She said UHRC also authors annual reports and recommendations which are submitted to parliament for debate and action to be taken.
Lukwago told the visiting delegation that the commission also holds regional tribunals, some of which get redress for victims, including among others, ordering for compensation.
The head of the Zimbabwean delegation Martin Muduva hailed their hosts for the warm reception and noted that they have learnt a lot from Uganda.
“The issue of enforcement of human rights is something we have learnt from them and we are working on revising how we are doing it in Zimbabwe to ensure we advise authorities on what to do.”
