Statement on the Visit of the Dutch Ambassador, H.E Dr. Karin Boven at the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U)

(Kampala/March 23rd ,2021) Today, The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) was privileged to host the Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands Embassy H.E Dr. Karin Boven. Together with the Senior Governance & Human Rights Advisor at the Embassy, Ms. Grace Babihuga, the Ambassador was briefed about the current interventions of the coalition towards protection of Human Rights Defenders in Uganda.

We further highlighted the work we do in coordinating the different interventions specific to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and more so, our focus on protection of grassroots HRDs. We had a reflective discussion on the current CSO Operating context.

In the meeting, we were joined by two Women Human Rights Defenders; Ms. Jane Francis Oling Executive Director, Women in Uganda and doubles as the Chairperson of our Technical Thematic Working Group and Ms. Winfred Mugambwa Co-Director Rella Women’s Foundation (Central Region NCHRD-U Focal Person) who shared their practical experiences and lived realities defending rights.

The coalition is currently coordinating the National CSO Stakeholders ‘Forum on the Universal Periodic Review on Uganda which is an opportunity for further structured and inclusive advocacy. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been very instrumental in providing institutional support and program development to NCHRD-U since 2015 to date through our strategic partners Defend Defenders.