The statement was made during the 68th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights highlighting the situation of social and economic rights in Uganda over a year since COVID 19 was declared a pandemic.
As the world commemorates the World Health Day calling for a fairer and healthier world, the day presents an opportunity for critical reflection especially amidst the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. This statement highlights the need to prioritise equitable roll out of COVID 19 vaccines and strengthening of public health systems
A statement delivered by Salima Namusobya (Executive Director - ISER) during the International Development Association (IDA) Forum at the 2021 World Bank Spring Meetings.
Eight international civil society organisations welcome a resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted by consensus on 23 March 2021 affirming the crucial importance of investment in public services for the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.
On 9 March 2021, the Ministry of Health announced it would no longer require national ID as sole identity marker and would allow other forms of IDs like drivers’ licenses, refugee identity cards, work permits, passports and verification by Local Council officials and Village Health Teams.
Civil society led by the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) and Unwanted Witness have dragged government to court over the requirement by the Ministry of Health to mandate one to present either a national identification card (NIC) or national identification Number (NIN) before receiving COVID 19 vaccines.
The Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) invites submission of articles on the theme: “(Re)claiming public health services in Uganda,” which is the focus of the 13th issue of its Economic and Social Rights Advocacy (ESRA) Brief to be published in May 2021. The ESRA Brief focuses on Economic and Social Rights (ESRs) advocacy in Uganda and draws on key lessons from the broader East African Community and beyond. The Brief provides insight into the debates and steps currently being undertaken towards the full realization of ESRs in Uganda.
The case of Tushemereirwe Sharon exhibits the pitfalls of engagement of private actors in health service delivery and affirms the importance of stronger regulation of such actors in the delivery of social services. It not only sets precedent on the applicability of the Access to Information Act 2005 to private entities carrying out a public function, but also underscores the role of the judiciary in the advancement of social and economic rights.