20091203

Kampala — THE Government has been asked to promote equal access to services, opportunities and treatment for all people. The human rights activists also urged Ugandans to embrace diversity in order to enrich and strengthen the various communities.

The remarks were contained in a joint statement by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), the Human Rights Network and other human rights organisations.

The statement was read yesterday by the UHRC chairman, Meddie Kaggwa, at a press conference on Buganda Road during the launching of a week-long awareness programme to mark the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The human right's day, which was adopted in 1948, is internationally marked on December 10. Kaggwa said the day's theme, ' embrace diversity, end discrimination in Uganda', was timely.

He added that the country is faced with several challenges like improving facilities and opportunities for people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly and the minority tribes such as the Batwa and the Bennets in Kapchorwa.

The activities will emphasize non-discrimination. They will include a procession on Saturday from the Kololo Airstrip to the railway ground in Kampala city.

There will also be a human rights exhibition from Monday to Wednesday next week in Kampala.

The activists will visit Luzira Women's Prison to assess the condition of inmates.

The week will be crowned with a human rights gala on December 10.

The activists commended the Government for enacting laws that promote equality and non-discrimination.

They asked the Government to ensure that programmes like the Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education and primary health care are effectively carried out for services to be easily accessed by all.

UNHRC secretary Gordon Mwesigye expressed joy that for the first time since the UHRC inception, Karamoja region has a human rights tribunal which is handling 12 cases.

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