The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has called for discussion on the ongoing enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions by government agencies.
Giving a keynote address at the launch of the special issue journal on Covid-19 and freedom of expression, assembly and access to information by Human Rights and Peace Center (HURIPEC) in Kampala yesterday, Justice Owiny- Dollo urged Ugandans to prioritise saving lives ahead of the rights to expression, assembly and accessing information.
He observed that COVID-19 restrictions have however led to growing tension between the protection of public health and protection of civil liberties and broader access to justice and rule of law.
The Chief Justice argued that the discussion must shift towards the manner in which the states have imposed the restrictions, saying he takes exception on the use of unreasonable and disproportionate force by security forces in enforcing the restrictions.
Justice Dollo was responding to a presentation by Dr, Zahara Nampewo, the Director HURIPEC School of law Makerere University who noted that several countries in the region including Uganda are infringing on fundamental rights under the guise of enforcing Covid19 guidelines.