Overview of Human Rights in Uganda

Uganda’s human rights record deteriorated even more in recent years as the government and rebel groups, mainly the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), continued to commit serious abuses daily.

For nearly 20 years, the LRA and the government have been involved in a violent conflict in Northern Uganda. More than 80 percent of the population of this region lives in camps for displaced persons. The LRA commits killings, rapes, torture, forced marriages, and recruits child soldiers to fight. When the government has stated that it won the war against the LRA, the LRA has retaliated with brutal attacks against both civilians and the government military in the region. Peace talks between the two parties broke down in 2005 and the fighting and violence has escalated since then.

Political freedom in Uganda is undermined by the government's continued harassment of anyone critical of its policies and actions. Opposition politicians and their families face threats while rumped-up charges such as espionage and treason are levied against human rights activists and those who are seen as a threat to the regime. Freedoms of speech, association, assembly, and religion are also limited.

Arbitrary arrest and detention, including incommunicado detention, and unlawful disappearances and killings are often committed by security forces in Uganda. Torture as an interrogation tool is often used by Ugandan military and police forces. Due to official corruption and impunity no one is ever punished for this illegal act.

For many years Uganda was praised for its fight against HIV/AIDS. However, in recent years that effort has deteriorated. Uganda recently adopted the United States-funded "abstinence only" programs and has, therefore, begun removing HIV/AIDS information from schools. It has also reduced condom access for vulnerable populations - undermining  HIV/AIDS progress.

Violence and abuse against children and persons with disabilities, human trafficking, child and forced labor, as well as vigilante justice are all abuses committed in Uganda which concern the international community.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

145th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.