The following is based on a communication sent by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and other UN experts to the Government of Uganda on 8 October 2024. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply. Regrettably, the Government did not reply within this timeframe. If a reply is received, it will be posted on the UN Special Procedures communications database.
This is a shorter version of the original communication.
BACKGROUND
Topic: the increasing harassment against Students for Global Democracy and its members in Uganda, who face intimidation, harassment, and are prosecuted for their legitimate human rights work, including Mr. Mike Gesa Munabi, Mr. Samuel Kayiwa and Mr. Johnbosco Mutyaba.
Students for Global Democracy (SGD) Uganda is a student-led, non-partisan nonprofit organisation founded in 2005 with the goal of creating a platform that empowers young people, particularly students who are passionate about democracy and sustainability. The organisation focuses on equipping these individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to actively participate in the democratisation process and drive sustainable action. By fostering engagement, it aims to inspire and enable the next generation to play a meaningful role in shaping democratic governance and promoting sustainable development in Uganda.
Mr. Mike Gesa Munabi is a human rights defender and SGD Founder and Policy Advisor.
Mr. Johnbosco Mutyaba is a human rights defender and SGD field officer.
Mr. Samuel Kayiwa is a human rights defender and the project officer of the “Human Rights and Civic Space for Students” project of the NGO Global Democracy Uganda, and a supporter of SGD.
Concerns regarding the harassment of student human rights defenders were raised in several previous communications sent to the Government of Uganda by special procedures mandate holders, including UGA 3/2019 and UGA 3/2017. No response was received from the Government.
ALLEGATIONS
Students for Global Democracy Uganda (SGD) has reportedly been the target of continuous harassment, which has intensified in recent months. Such harassment includes two break-ins at its offices, one on 2 December 2023, and another on 19 December 2023. During these incidents, several pieces of office equipment were vandalised and destroyed. It is suspected that this was committed by government security agencies, as both incidents occurred at a time when the organisation was advocating in order to release a group of students and pro-democracy youth activists who had been arrested and jailed for supporting opposition politician Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi in the 2021 presidential elections.
Mr. Samuel Kayiwa
On 2 June 2024, Mr. Samuel Kayiwa received a phone call from an anonymous number. The caller requested a meeting to discuss sensitive information related to Mr. Kayiwa’s work in the field of human rights. Mr. Kayiwa declined the request, however, on 4 June 2024, the same anonymous individual called again, with the same request. When Mr Kayiwa once again refused, they began issuing physical threats, warning him of potential physical harm, and accusing him of tarnishing the Ugandan government’s international reputation. The caller accused Mr. Kayiwa of allegedly using human rights work as a cover to undermine the government’s standing abroad, particularly with regard to the rights of young people. The threats escalated as the anonymous individual claimed to be monitoring Mr. Kayiwa’s phone conversations and tracking his movements. In addition to these personal threats, the caller also accused the SGD of receiving foreign funding in order to destabilise the Ugandan government.
On 25 July 2024, Mr. Kayiwa received further phone calls from individuals who reiterated earlier accusations, claiming that he and the SGD Uganda were accepting foreign funding to support the #March2Parliament protests which took place on 23 July 2024. These protests had gained significant traction, with participants calling for action against rampant corruption in government institutions, specifically targeting the Ugandan Parliament. These threats came shortly after Mr. Kayiwa had advocated for the release of students and members of SGD Uganda who had been arrested during the #March2Parliament protest on 23 July 2024. On 27 July 2024, Mr. Kayiwa was followed by two men on a motorcycle, who pursued his vehicle and attempted to seize his laptop bag in what appeared to be an act of intimidation and possibly an effort to steal sensitive information related to his human rights work.
Mr. Mike Gesa Munabi
On 21 June 2024, Mike Gesa Munabi was arrested by the police in Iganga under the accusations of “inciting violence” under chapter 120 of the Penal Code Act, and “offensive communication” under section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act. He was released on state bond the following day, 22 June 2024. These charges appear to be linked to Mr. Munabi’s role in SGD, and his outspoken stance on democracy, human rights, and good governance. Mr. Munabi had been particularly vocal in his support of the aforementioned 50 pro-democracy youth activists who were arrested by authorities in August and September 2023. After his release, Mr. Munabi has been ordered to report to the police on a monthly basis, with the possibility of his case either being dismissed or sanctioned for a court hearing. On 7 July 2024, Mr. Munabi made his first required appearance at the police station, where his release bond was extended until 9 August 2024, when he would be expected to return and report on the status of his case.
Mr. Johnbosco Mutyaba
On 23 July 2024, Johnbosco Mutyaba was arrested at the Central Police Station in Kampala. Mr. Mutyaba had been seeking the release of pro-democracy student activists who were part of Students for Global Democracy’s university chapters in Uganda. These students had been arrested following the #March2Parliament protests, which took place earlier the same day. Mr. Mutyaba was detained for several hours before being released later that evening on police bond, without any formal charges being filed against him.
Students for Global Democracy intends to lodge a complaint with the Uganda Human Rights Commission against the government for the continued harassment of their staff and members.
CONCERNS
In the communication, we express our deep concern at members of SGD allegedly facing intimidation, harassment, arrests and potential prosecution for their legitimate human rights work. There are serious concerns that such actions may be in retaliation for the human rights activities of the human rights organisation SGD and its members. We are concerned about the allegations indicating that staff members of the organisation have reportedly been continuously subjected to acts of intimidation and close surveillance, including external actors reportedly monitoring the NGO’s activities and its employees closely, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease. SGD Uganda appear to have been particularly singled out in a climate of mounting political tension as Uganda approaches the 2026 General Elections, where many opposition groups and organisations critical of the government report facing increased pressure and threats. We are also concerned about the notable chilling effect for other human rights defenders and civil society organizations that the above-described allegations are prone to trigger.
In addition, we have noted challenges and threats to the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms in the context of previous elections in the country: increased spread of disinformation and misinformation; hate speech, attacks, harassment and intimidation of LGBTQI+ people, civil society, journalist, human rights defenders and political activists; crackdowns on opposition parties and leaders; suppression of freedom of peaceful assembly and association rights in general.
