PROGRESS UPDATE APRIL – JUNE 2025

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Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U)

Dear Partners, Allies, and Friends,

Warm greetings from the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U)!

We are pleased to share with you the key highlights from our activities and achievements during the second quarter of 2025 (April to June). We also take this opportunity to reflect on the current situation in which Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) continue to operate in Uganda. Your continued solidarity and support have enabled us to make progress in creating safe spaces, amplifying voices, building capacity, and promoting the protection of WHRDs across the country.

  1. WHRDN-U, in partnership with other feminist organizations, held a press conference during the Pan-African Conference on Family Values. We urged legislators participating in the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and National Sovereignty to adopt recommendations that support women and girls in families. https://x.com/womenprobono/status/1920769074172215755?s=48
  1. WHRDN-U, together with the Tanzanian Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders, the Kenya Women Human Rights Defenders Hub, and the International Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders, issued a joint statement titled “Defending Solidarity, Safety, and Democracy in East Africa.” https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1927379099862868339?s=12
  2. WHRDN-U, in collaboration with Environmental WHRDs, was featured in the Daily Monitor highlighting how women are contributing to addressing climate change. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-women-are-making-a-difference-on-climate-change-5067100
  3. On June 19, 2025, WHRDN-U ,  participated in a discussion hosted by the French Embassy in Uganda on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and feminist policies. She shared WHRDN-U’s insights and contributions on advancing feminist values. https://x.com/WHRDNU/status/1935694271115600041?t=xybLcLXq52uEwFbYl_U2jA&s=08
  1. WHRDN-U recently facilitated self-care, collective care, and healing sessions in Kampala for WHRDs. These gatherings provided space for emotional support and solidarity, recognizing that caring for defenders is essential to the work of defending rights. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1935461960893546720?s=51
  2. On World Environment Day, WHRDN-U partnered with the National Environmental Management Authority and the Uganda Human Rights Commission to host a training session for Environmental WHRDs. The session focused on laws that protect them in their climate justice efforts. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1930072552358952997?s=12
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  1. On May 23, 2025, WHRDN-U participated in the 27th Annual Uganda Human Rights Commission event. The Commission’s report officially included key recommendations from our 2024 assessment on violence against WHRDs.  https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1926981386423939117?s=51
  1. With support from UAF-Africa, WHRDN-U took part in the 2025 Global Convening on WHRDs’ Crisis and Care held in Brazil. This event brought together global feminists, activists, and donors to share experiences and strategies. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1924038345719505211?s=51
  2. WHRDN-U organized a two-day legal compliance training on April 24–25, 2025 at Eureka Hotel. The training equipped WHRDs with legal knowledge to counter growing restrictions and understand compliance requirements. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1915848810800287946?s=12
  1. From April 2–4, 2025, WHRDN-U held a residential workshop at Esella Hotel with WHRDs from the Acholi and Rwenzori subregions. The workshop focused on reviewing violations, reflecting on their working environment, and developing strategies to reduce risks in their human rights work. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1908393238588694529?s=51
  1. WHRDN-U held a three-day regional residential capacity-building workshop from June 18–20, 2025, at Esella Country Hotel in Kira. The workshop brought together 25 WHRDs from the Karamoja and Albertine regions. It aimed to strengthen their protection strategies and advocacy efforts through shared learning and skills development.
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12. Report from WHRDNU’s registry Database of attacks against WHRD data base 

  • According to quarter one (January to March 2025, our report presents an analysis of cases recorded from the WHRDN-U’s Registry of Attacks against WHRDs. A Total cases documented were 18 and these cases involved various forms of violations against Women Human Rights Defenders. A line graph illustrates the number and types of reported violations experienced by WHRDs.
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A second graph categorizes the incidents by types of perpetrators, offering insights into the sources of attacks.

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  • The second quarter’s report covers cases documented between April and June 2025.Total cases documented were 15, 5 WHRDs received Emergency Protection Support, and 10 WHRDs received psychosocial support, coordinated through WHRDN-U and peer WHRDs

A pie chart shows the distribution of the human rights work of the affected WHRDs: GBV Activism – 23.1%, Child Rights – 15.4%, Sexual Minority Rights – 15.4%,Economic Rights – 15.4%,Female Journalists – 7.7%,LBQTI Rights – 7.7%,Environmental Rights – 7.7%, and Women’s Rights Activism – 7.7%

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A bar graph displays the types and frequency of human rights violations reported.

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