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’re excited to share highlights from our activities and progress during the first quarter (January to March) 2025.Thanks to your continued solidarity and support, we’ve made meaningful strides in creating safe spaces, amplifying voices, building capacity, and advancing protection for Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) across Uganda.
1. Creating Safe Spaces for Marginalised Voices (WHRDs)
On January 21st, 2025, with support from the Global Fund for Women, we convened a workshop for Women Human Rights Defenders at the HRAPF Community Center. This session offered a safe haven for WHRDs to share their experiences, tackling issues like discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Counsel Justine of HRAPF provided practical strategies for crisis management and resilience, while participants united to advocate for mental health support, relocation resources, and economic empowerment. Together, we reaffirmed our resolve to build stronger solidarity networks and inclusive advocacy platforms.
2. Celebrating Women Human Rights Defenders – Dynamic International Women’s Day Campaign
- On March 8th, WHRDN-U commemorated International Women’s Day (#IWD2025) through an engaging social media campaign celebrating the courage and contributions of WHRDs across the country. With over 2,000 views and active engagement on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WHRDNU and Twitter X https://x.com/WHRDNU, we amplified the voices of WHRDs advocating for gender equality and social justice. https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1897809062948966490?s=46. With over 2,000 views, the campaign raised awareness on the importance of protecting WHRDs and inspired public support for their work.
- During Women’s Week, WHRDN-U also mobilized WHRDs from different regions to meet with the Equal Opportunities Commission and Uganda Human Rights Commissionhttps://x.com/WHRDNU/status/1898014642632270168, strengthening their knowledge of how to access protection and support through national mechanisms, creating opportunities for dialogue and safeguarding advocacy efforts.https://x.com/WHRDNU/status/1898016033631355177.
3. Capacity Building for Regional Protection Networks
From March 5th to 7th, with support from Kvinna Till Kvinna, WHRDN-U hosted a three-day workshop at Esella Country Hotel LTD, uniting 25 WHRDs from Uganda’s Eastern and West Nile regions. The event enhanced advocacy techniques, strengthened reporting skills, and fostered alliance-building. Through interactive sessions on risk assessment, wellness, and protection mechanisms, participants developed actionable plans to combat violence and human rights violations and renewed energy to confront growing threats with courage and collaboration.
4. Strengthening Resilience for LBQT WHRDs
On March 4th, WHRDN-U, in partnership with Defend Defenders and the Royal Danish Embassy in Uganda, held a timely convening at HRAPF offices on “Understanding the Cost of Activism and Strengthening Digital Resilience.” Twenty-one Structually marginalised WHRDs explored strategies to safeguard their digital presence, cope with online threats, and sustain their activism amid growing hostility. Led by facilitators from HRAPF and HER Internet, the session emphasized the need for economic security and stronger support systems.
5. Global Advocacy at CSW69
WHRDN-U had the honor of participating in the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. At a side event hosted by UAF-Africa, we presented our Assessment Report on Violence against WHRDs, drawing attention to the risks defenders face in Uganda and across the region. Through strategic engagements with global partners and policymakers, we echoed the urgent need for protection and policy reforms to safeguard WHRDs everywhere. For reference view icon report below:
6. Documenting and Supporting Cases
Between January and March 2025, WHRDN-U documented 17 cases of violence, threats, and risks faced by WHRDs across Uganda. Three cases received direct support, including psychosocial assistance, referrals, and emergency response. These interventions underscore the importance of timely and coordinated action to protect WHRDs. For instance, we documented a case On 9 January 2025, human rights activist and lawyer Agather Atuhaire, along with six other activists, were arrested in Kampala while attempting to march to the Supreme Court. The protest sought to draw attention to the prolonged detention of civilians in military courts and the judiciary’s delay in ruling on the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians. The group was detained at Kampala Central Police Station and charged with common nuisance. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/journalist-agather-atuhaire-arrested-4883280
7. Strengthening Governance and Accountability
On March 29th, WHRDN-U held a Board of Directors meeting, where the annual work plan, budget, and audit report were reviewed and approved, thus ensuring strong governance and transparency for the year ahead. See photo below during Board of Directors meeting.
As we look ahead, we remain inspired by the strength, courage, and solidarity of women defenders across Uganda. Together, we are building a safer, more just society where all women can defend rights without fear.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
In Solidarity,
WHRDN-U Team