Harassment of human rights defender in Uganda

Who we wrote to

The president of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.

What’s the issue

We’re concerned about the harassment of human rights defenders in Uganda and particularly the treatment of members of the LGBTI community and those who defend their rights.

Acts of harassment have been carried out against Sandra Ntebi, a prominent human rights defender engaged in the protection of LGBTI rights in Uganda.

We understand that the police interrupted a peaceful assembly of the LGBTI Pride event in Kabalagala on 4 August 2016.

Ms Ntebi was detained by police officers overnight together with other attendees.

We understand that Ms Ntebi was beaten and denied access to a lawyer. She was later released without charges.

After her detention, Ms Ntebi was allegedly harassed through phone calls and text messages by members of the police department, urging her to return to the police station, despite no formal request from the police.

We understand that Ms Ntebi’s car was hit as she drove home after a press conference about the events, and that she was urged by an individual to go to the police station.

What we asked for

We asked the Ugandan authorities to:

• take measures to prevent and adequately investigate acts of harassment against Ms Ntebi and prosecute the perpetrators if applicable
• make sure that human rights defenders can carry out their work without harassment or intimidation

Timeline

4 August 2016 – Ms Ntebi was arrested at a peaceful LGBTI Pride event before being detained overnight and beaten by police officers

16 August 2016 – Ms Ntebi’s car was hit following her press conference about the events