April 29–30, 2026 | Protea Skyz Hotel Kampala
Twenty women leaders from structurally silenced organizations came together at Protea Skyz Hotel in Kampala for a two-day residential gathering organized by the Women Human Rights Defenders Network-Uganda (WHRDN-U). The convening created a vital space for safety, solidarity, and resilience-building among women human rights defenders (WHRDs) who often face isolation, legal threats, and community backlash.
Purpose and Objectives
The gathering was designed to:
- Enhance practical understanding of how current laws are applied in Uganda.
- Support women leaders to adopt safer daily work practices.
- Reduce isolation through peer connection and solidarity.
- Strengthen inclusive protections within the WHRDN-U network.
As one participant expressed, “This gathering is a space of connection, a place to reflect on safety and protection mechanisms, and to recognize the power within.”
Key Sessions and Insights
- Understanding the Law: Facilitators highlighted the challenges of Uganda’s legal environment, where compliance requirements often target civil society organizations. Litigation was discussed as a tool for change, though participants noted that court decisions frequently remain unimplemented.
- Safety Strategies: WHRDs shared practical approaches to staying safe, including choosing advocacy spaces strategically, collaborating across regions, and leveraging collective action. “It’s better to be a living WHRD than a dead one,” one reminder emphasized.
- UPR Consultations: Participants identified pressing issues such as restrictions on freedom of association, digital surveillance, economic insecurity, and cultural stigma. Recommendations included strengthening legal frameworks, ensuring inclusive participation, and restoring access to financial resources for NGOs.
- Experience-Based Panel: Leaders shared survival strategies such as rebranding organizations, building cross-movement partnerships, promoting social enterprise, and minimizing office-based risks.
Building Resilience and Connection
Beyond technical sessions, the gathering emphasized self-care, gratitude, and solidarity. Dancing and reflection exercises symbolized resilience and the determination to “shake off whatever structure or form limits women’s progress.”
Moving Forward
The gathering concluded with practical opportunities for continued support, including access to legal expertise, counselling, and digital resources. Most importantly, it reaffirmed the collective strength of WHRDs in Uganda.
This event was more than a meeting, it was a declaration of resilience, a reminder that even in silenced spaces, women leaders continue to stand strong, protect one another, and push forward for justice.
Pictorial of the convening
