KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND PHILOSOPY
YEAR: THREE
SEMESTER: ONE
COURSE UNIT: ARS3101 RELIGION AND HUMAN RIGHTS
LECTURER: DR. SSEBUNYA MAGGIE
TASK: GROUP COURSEWORK
DATE OF SUBMISION: 12THMAY, 2023

NAME REGISTRATION NO SIGNATURE

BABIRYE VERONIC 20/U/AED/1229/PD

MAHORO MARION 20/U/AED/865/PD

KOLI LINDA RACHEAL 20/U/AED/843/PD

BUGALA SIMON 20/U/AED/1468/PD

MUKUNDENTA MOUREEN 20/U/AED/1307/PD

MUKIZA ENOCK 20/U/AED/826/PD

Question
In view of anyone of the following religions in Uganda (Christianity, Islam and African
Traditional Religion), and using relevant examples, discuss its contribution towards:
a) Promotion of human rights in Uganda
b) Violation of human rights in Uganda
Human rights are rights we have simply because we exist as humans, they are not granted by any
state. These universal rights are inherent to us all, regardless of nationality, sex national or
ethnic, origin color, religion, language, or any other status. They range from the most
fundamental-the right to life to those that make life worth living, such as the right to food,
education, work, health, and liberty. There is a Universal Declaration of human Rights which
was adopted by UN IN 1948, was the first legal document to set out the fundamental human right
to be universally protected. It has thirty articles that provide the principles and building blocks of
current and future human rights convention, treaties and other legal instruments.
Christianity is a religion based on the person and the teaching of Jesus Christ, or its beliefs and
practices. It is also a faith tradition that focuses on the figure of Jesus Christ. In this context faith
refers to both the believers’ act of trust and to the content of their faith. Christianity in Uganda
has promoted human rights in various way as follows.
Right to marry and own a family. According Abou Kisige (6th September 2019), 69 couples took
their marriage vows at Rubaga Miracle center cathedral. The Pentecostal church and other
Christian denominations have carried out mass wedding which gives an opportunity to many
people to take marriage vows at low or zero cost since most of the requirements are catered for
by the church. The presiding apostle of born again faith Dr. Joseph Serwada also asked the
government not to restrict church wedding to church building. In this it will give chance to
people who cannot meet church requirements and he said the president supported the idea. This
will give a chance to local churches to conduct wedding given they are licensed. This creates a
room for many people to marry there by promoting people's right to marry.
Promotion of the right to education. According to Damali Mukhaye (Nov 15 2022). He says that
Catholics followed by Anglicans are majority in Uganda according to the 2014 census, and the
two religious denominations own many leading to educational and health institutions. Data from
the catholic secretariat shows that the church owns 6700 schools across Uganda, 603 of them
secondary schools. They include, Namilyango college school, St. Josephs SS, St Joseph’s college
Ombaci, Uganda martyrs secondary namugongo, St. Henry’s college kitovu and immaculate
heart school among others.
All human beings are free and equal. According to Stephanie Higgins (March, 16 2020).
Christian religious leaders were involved in promotion of girl up initiative in Uganda. Religious
leaders were trained in gender, gender based violence, and sexual reproductive health and how
they can be involved in local advocacy. Religious leaders have continued to sensitize their
communities about gender, based violence and sexual reproductive healthy given their big
following. By doing so they have continually promoted the right that all human beings are free
and equal.
The church has promoted the right to fair and public hearing. According to the memorandum of
catholic bishop of uganda in conjunction with uganda constitutional commission in 1991page
16.a state of emergency lawfully approved by parliament shall never be used to interfere with
rights and freedoms of individuals without the normal process and decision of the judiciary for
example the parliamentarians who were involved in stealing of iron sheets that were made to be
given to the karamanjogs were given a chance to a public hearing in the parliament before being
imprisoned.
Christianity has played a key role in the provision of healthcare in Uganda, particularly in the
areas of HIV/AIDS and maternal health. Christian hospitals and clinics have provided care to
millions of Ugandans, often in remote and underserved areas. For example the church has
constructed several healthy centers like St. Francis hospital Nsambya, Mengo hospital, Kamuli
missionary hospital, Ruharo hospital in Mbararara among others. This give healthy services at a
low cost.
In addition to provision of health care, Potters Village Kisoro is a Christian organization under
Anglican diocese of Kisoro aimed at providing healthcare to little children abandoned or babies
whose mothers died while giving birth, provide them with food and other necessities of life and
finds families who can adopt such children. By so doing, they promote the right to life and
health.
According to the memorandum of catholic bishops of Uganda to the Uganda constitution
commission June in 1991 page 16.the freedom of speech and expression shall always be
protected so that the general public individuals and the mass may expose any violation of human
rights by whatever organization or person. Christians have promoted this right through being a
voice to the voiceless, setting mass media platfoams like TVs, radio stations for example
family,catholic,salt TV among others which have enabled people to express their dissatisfaction
and violation of human rights.
In the same memorandum, the teaching of human rights and ethical values shall be compulsory
in all institution of learning and during the national development services. For example
Christians have promoted the human rights by having a topic about human rights and dignity at
all levels of education enabling people to be aware of their rights.
Promotion of peace in northern Uganda. According to Cissy Makumbi (26, November 2015) the
monitor Kampala, Christian organizations have played a key role in the promotion of peace and
reconciliation in Uganda, particularly during Kony war in northern Uganda where the catholic
church under Acholi religious leaders peace initiative was instrumental in bringing peace in
northern Uganda under the leadership of John Baptist Odama archbishop of Gulu archdiocese.
By doing so the religious leaders were promoting the right to life, liberty and security of person.
The Uganda Joint Christian Council, composed of the Anglican Church of Uganda, the Roman
Catholic Church and the Uganda Orthodox Church, has played a significant role in promoting
human rights in Uganda. The Council has advocated for peaceful coexistence, good governance,
and social justice.
The Catholic Church in Uganda has been actively involved in advocating for the rights of
prisoners. The Church runs a number of programs aimed at providing legal assistance, education,
and counseling to prisoners, and has also worked to improve the conditions of prisons according
to Anthony Okiro, in Human Rights and Prisons: A Pocketbook of International Human Rights
Standards for Prison Officials, ed. by Andrew Coyle et al., 2005, p. 77-81)
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda has been actively involved in promoting the rights
of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. The Church runs a number of programs aimed at
providing humanitarian assistance, education, and healthcare to refugees, and has also worked to
advocate for their rights and protection. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and Refugee Rights
in Uganda," by David Hulme, in Faith-Based Organizations and Humanitarian Assistance, and
Jonathan Benthall, Jemilah Mahmood, 2008, p. 163-174)
The Church of Uganda has been involved in promoting the rights of people with albinism in the
country. The Church has worked to raise awareness about the discrimination and violence faced
by people with albinism, and has also been involved in advocating for their rights and protection.
By the Church of Uganda and the Rights of People with Albinism," Simon Peter Otieno, in
Disability and Social Change: A South African Agenda, ed. by Brian Watermeyer et al., 2016, p.
130-141.
The Catholic Church in Uganda has been involved in promoting the rights of children. The
Church runs a number of programs aimed at providing education, healthcare, and other forms of
support to children, and has also been involved in advocating for their rights and protection for
example Ngetta baby’s home in northern Uganda owned the catholic church Comboni
missionaries according to Winnie Auma,( 2012, p. 313-324). The Catholic Church and
children’s rights.
The Anglican Church in Uganda has been involved in promoting the rights of people with
disabilities. The Church runs a number of programs aimed at providing education, healthcare,
and other forms of support to people with disabilities, and has also been involved in advocacy
efforts aimed at reducing discrimination and promoting inclusion.
Protection against discrimination .The Uganda Joint Christian Council has been involved in
promoting the rights of indigenous peoples in the country. The Council has worked to raise
awareness about the marginalization and discrimination faced by indigenous peoples, and has
also been involved in advocating for their rights and protection for example preaching about
equality and human dignity despite the race, religion, age, sex, among others. ( "The Uganda
Joint Christian Council and Indigenous Peoples' Rights," by Derogates M. Kebirungi, in
Indigenous Peoples' Rights in Africa, ed. by Kealeboga J. Mahoney and Thabo P. van den
Heever, 2016, p. 111-126)
Promotion of the right to work. The Catholic Church in Uganda has been involved in promoting
the rights of farmers and rural communities. The Church runs a number of programs aimed at
providing education, healthcare, and other forms of support to farmers, and has also been
involved in advocacy efforts aimed at promoting land rights and sustainable agriculture. “The
Catholic Church and Farmers' Rights in Uganda," by Edward Mukiibi, in Global Justice and
Sustainable Development.
(b)
While Christianity has contributed to the promotion of human rights in Uganda, there are
instances where some individuals or groups among Christianity as a religion that have violated
human rights. However, we cannot attribute such violations solely to Christianity as a whole or
its teachings. It is crucial to recognize that human rights violations in any form are unacceptable
and must be addressed through the appropriate channels of justice and accountability. The
following are some of the ways in which Christianity has violated human rights.
Christian churches have violated the right to privacy in Uganda. According to Okello July 12,
2019 writes that Kampala Human rights activists and the general public have reacted angrily to
Pastor Aloysius Bugingo's claim that his estranged wife Teddy Naluswa has suffered a
hemorrhage for 10years. Pastor Bugingo who heads house of prayer ministries based in
Makerere Kikoni told his congregation on Thursday, July 11 that he is ending his marriage
because of that problem and that he was tired of buying cotton for the bleeding woman. This
violates the right to privacy. Whereas Pastor Solomon Male on his part wondered whether pastor
Bugingo had ever gone to school. These were private matters which were not for public
consumption.
The violation of right to life. According to Matias MugishaJuly 28th, 2000 the movement for
restoration of the ten commandments of God founded by Credonia Mwerinde and Joseph
Kibwetere in 1989 in south western Uganda in Kanungu district killed over 500 people who were
burnt to death in 2000 when they set fire to a church in an apocalyptic event where they
proclaimed that the world was to come to an end in 2000. This was determined to be a mass
murder by group leaders after their prediction of the apocalypse failed to come about. This action
of murdering Christian was a way of violating the right to life.
Some Christian founded Schools have violated the right to worship. Students which are not
Christian are forced to practice Christian doctrines. Article 18 of the UDHR stipulate that
“everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion". This fundamental right
has also been violated. According to Peter Nyanzi says a guardian who had his child studying
from SDA witnessed how students were forced to practice SDA Religious practices irrespective
of their different religion This shows how the freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
According to BBC news 24, October 2019 “Uganda pastor arrested for alleged rape”. It puts it
that Augustine Yiga in 2019, the popular self-proclaimed prophet and pastor also known as
"Abizaayo" was arrested and charged with rape after allegedly sexually assaulted a young female
member of his church. He was also accused of making false claims and harmful conspiracy
theories about covid 19. This violates the right to privacy and right to life (Uganda pastor
arrested over alleged rape BBC News 24 October 2019)
Christians have violated the right to education through promotion of sectarianism that is giving
school admission based on faith but not on merit in school. Leadership positions for example in a
catholic school head prefect must be catholic and rewards are also given to students who
subscribe to the faith of the school hence demotivating learners leading to school drop outs and
having little interest which violate the right to education.
Christianity has violated human rights through stopping the believers from taking medication for
example in remote parts of Uganda, there was a fight to stop preachers from discouraging
medical care. According to Doreen Ajambo, 28th November 2018 a 27-year-old Pentecostal
pastor in Katakwi has been arrested after interceding to stop the medical care of a severely ill 9
year old girl. Telling her parents they should they should pray. Pastor Richard of international
ministries has since been released on bond, but the girl remains on the verge of death in a
hospital where she was three weeks ago after her mother stopped giving her medication and took
her to the church for prayers. The child's father together with the local leaders, residents and
security officials intervene to take the girl to the hospital. Doreen Ajambo; Religious news
service 28 November 2018).
In conclusion, Christianity has promoted human rights in various as mentioned above for
example the right to life, right to education, right to equality among others. However it has also
violated human rights in the following ways for example violation of right to life by stopping
some Christians from taking their medication, violation of the right to worship especially In the
Christian founded schools where students are forced to adhere to the beliefs of the religion on
which the school was founded among others as discussed above.
REFERENCES
Abuo Kisige “Rubaga miracle center cathedral holds mass wedding” 6th September 2019
A memorandum of the catholic Bishops of Uganda to the Uganda constitutional commission,
June 1991
Auma Winnie “The Catholic and children rights in Uganda”2012, p 313-2024
Higgins Stephanie “Agents of change-engaging religious leaders in championing gender
equality” 16th march 2020.
Makumbi Cissy, “Role of the catholic church in bringing peace in Northern Uganda”26th
November 2015
Mugisha Matthias, New vision "Kanungu dead poisioned"28 July, 2000
Mukhaye Damali “catholic church tables ten education reform demand” 15th Nonmember 2022
The Church of Uganda and the Rights of People with Albinism," by Simon Peter, in Disability
and Social Change: A South African Agenda, ed. by Brian Watermeyer et al., 2016, p. 130-141)