Women walk to condemn the violation of rights towards demonstrators

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Women & men take part in the women's vigil for peace walk
09th may 2011

Clad in white, holding pans, plates, spoons and placards, the women of Uganda this morning sounded their voice to condemn excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies which saw 9 people killed, injury of more than 100 persons and destruction of property as citizens’ demanded for government’s response to address increased commodity prices.
 

 “We are carrying saucepans to show government that with high food prices, it is becoming impossible to sufficiently feed our families” stated Julie Luutu an activist from Forum for Women in Democracy and when asked on why they were wearing white Julie said the women chose white because it was a neutral color that won’t be associated with any political party in Uganda.
 

In what was dubbed as a women's vigil for peace, the women walked from Kira Rd Police stretching to Yusuf Lule and Acacia Roads and back to the playgrounds, where they held prayers and in their individual capacities pledged to continuously speak out on the violation of human rights of Ugandan citizens.

The statement condemned the excessive use of force by the police and military to suppress demonstrations under the ‘walk to work’ campaign, it called upon the state to urgently avert the national crisis by addressing the social and economic issues raised by the public and it further demanded for proactive policy measures to address food insecurity and reduction of excessive government expenditures.



The women urged all stakeholders including the regional and international communities to intervene in ensuring that peace and justice prevails in Uganda and encouraged the public to remain peaceful and desist from violent actions while pursuing their various rights.

The Chief Walker was the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders Mrs. Margret Sekagyya to whom a statement was presented requesting for a thorough, prompt and impartial investigations into the human rights violations committed by different parties. In her remarks, Margaret Sekagya pledged to share the statement with the Un Human Rights Commissioner in Geneva and other international human rights bodies for action.

By Carol Namagembe, Communications Officer FOWODE

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 9, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    It's good to know that women have participated in condemning governmnt brutality. Sustainability is critical so my hope is that this in not a one off activity...

    Kasule Rogers

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    It was a peaceful walk and i think this is what gov't should have done from the moment A4C launched their walk2work campaigns!!!!!. Mary k

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Great indeed,unfortunately couldnt attend since i had another commitment in Parliament.Go women of Uganda. Bombastic Kasha

    ReplyDelete

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