Jailed Uganda Activist Wins Human Rights Award

Jailed activist Dr Stella Nyanzi has been recognised for her work defending human rights by Soldarity Uganda.

With Dr Nyanzi currently imprisoned for allegedly disturbing the peace, her daughter received the award on her behalf, commenting, "I can't rule out the fact that we miss her but we are happy as a family to see that she has been consistent in demanding for equal rights and this is one of the values she dearly espouses. We hope that she will come out of prison soon so that we can connect again.” 

Speaking on the award Solidarity Uganda’s programmes manager Jane Asinde stated, "Dr Nyanzi has taught us that injustice negatively affects the day-to-day life of young girls, and that struggling for political liberation overlaps with building the power, confidence and, and freedom of the young, the sick, and others who are systematically neglected."

"This is a woman who is true to herself even when passive conservative segments of society defame her. She has leveraged her privilege on behalf others in ways most of us would not," she added.

Solidarity Uganda also recognised Dennis Komakech for his role in community activism.

"Mr Komaketch is a brilliant example of what it means to be a community organizer. As a resident of Amuru, he coordinated a 33-day, 234 occupation of a United Nations office in Gulu that had refused to call upon the Ugandan government to stop violence and land grabbing in the village of Apaa," Asinde stated.