Respect for human rights in Uganda has been advanced significantly since the mid-1980s. There are, however, numerous areas that continue to attract concern. Since 1986, Uganda has experienced several internal conflicts, with the northern districts of Kitgum and Gulu and the western district of Karamoja being the most prolonged and severe. Conflict in the northern parts of the country continues to generate reports of abuses by both the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan Army. The LRA has abducted over 25,000 children to serve as soldiers and sex slaves, while upwards of 1.6 million people have been displaced due to the conflict.

To the north of Uganda lies Sudan, a nation that has suffered civil war for much of the last 40 years. This conflict has left over 100,000 Sudanese refugees on Ugandan soil. The current Ugandan administration has expressed support for the right of self determination of the people of southern Sudan, resulting in limited and distrustful relations between the governments of Kampala and Khartoum. To the detriment of Uganda's internal security and human rights, the Sudanese government is actively supporting the Lord's Resistance Army.

Torture continues to be a widespread practice amongst security organizations. Attacks on political freedom in the country, including the arrest and beating of opposition members of Parliament, have led to international criticism, culminating in May 2005 with a decision by the British government to withhold part of its aid to the country. Prior to presidential elections, the main opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested under controversial charges. The subsequent besiegement by heavily armed security forces at the High Court during the hearing of Besigye's case led an infuriated British government to withhold funding and condemn the Ugandan government's actions.

Grassroots issues specific to the Jinja and Masaka Districts often focus on the rights of marginalized peoples. FSD works with organizations that support and educate socioeconomically excluded members of society through conflict resolution, advocacy, and direct training. Interning or volunteering in our human rights program allows you to witness divisions between differing peoples and offer solutions that bring greater equality to a severe and complex social hierarchy.

Read more about Human Rights programs and opportunities initiated by our Community Partners in Uganda.

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