The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Soroti regional office has raised alarm over at least five critical human rights issues affecting communities in the Teso sub-region, urging immediate government intervention.
During a series of community barazas held across Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Kalaki, and Soroti districts, the Commission identified delayed access to justice especially in land-related matters as one of the primary concerns.
Other major issues include election-related rights violations, widespread domestic violence, child neglect, and limited public awareness of human rights and existing laws.
The four-day community meetings, conducted in collaboration with the police, Electoral Commission, and NIRA officials, focused on educating the public about their rights and roles, with special emphasis on protecting children and women.
Residents voiced frustrations over lengthy delays in land case resolutions and high legal fees, which have pushed many to turn to alternative often harmful methods of seeking justice, such as mob action and witchcraft.
Another major concern raised during the barazas was the practice of lining up during local elections, which many feel violates the right to privacy and secrecy of the ballot.
This system, communities reported, has sparked hostility and led to domestic disputes.
The Commission also flagged a troubling increase in child neglect, largely attributed to absentee fathers who fail to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, or school fees.
Charles Adengu, the acting officer in charge of the Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU) at Kalaki Police Station, reported a rise in child neglect cases from six to ten in a single month along with a doubling of domestic violence cases, particularly involving men assaulting their wives.
Vincent Xaviour Okwii, acting Resident District Commissioner of Katakwi, defended the lining-up voting system, asserting that it can be valid when implemented transparently, though he acknowledged its negative social impact.
In response, Josephine Akello, the Soroti Regional Human Rights Officer, condemned mob justice as both illegal and a violation of the right to a fair hearing.
She urged citizens to seek legal assistance through the Uganda Law Society or the Legal Aid Project and to report instances of child neglect and domestic violence to the police and the Commission.
Akello stressed that such issues are detrimental to children’s development and are contributing to the rising number of street children in the region.
By Our Reporter
9th June 2025
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