PROGRAM TITLE:

Bridging Rights and Values: Strengthening the Civic and Democratic Culture in Uganda (2012-2016).

VISION:

A human rights and civic culture as a foundation for peace, stability, democracy, social justice and sustainable development in Uganda.

MISSION:

To enhance respect and observance of human rights practices and civic values, promote best practices through training, education, research, advocacy, ICTs, and strategic partnerships.

MANDATE:

- To promote respect for human rights and civic values.

- To empower citizens with human rights knowledge and skills to demand and defend their rights.

- To advocate for a human rights friendly policy and legislative framework that can foster respect for human dignity.

ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

1. To promote citizen awareness of basic human rights and duties guaranteed in the Ugandan Constitution and regional human rights instruments.

2. To undertake research, monitoring and documentation of human rights practices.

3. To promote good governance, respect for the rule of law, democracy and legal protection of human rights.

4. To promote best practices in the administration of justice in Uganda.

5. To enhance the capacity of democratic structures with knowledge on legal rights, procedures, remedies and civic obligations.

6. To upgrade the Resource Centre into a Communication and Information Centre.

7. To promote solidarity and partnership building with and among similar institutions, government, communities and individuals on a national, regional and international level.

8. To promote access to justice through public interest and legal aid service delivery.

9. To build a strong and sustainable human rights organization.

STRATEGIC  OBJECTIVES:

1. To monitor and document human rights practices in order to promote dialogue and respect for human rights and democratic development in Uganda.
2. To promote sustainable access to justice for the poor and vulnerable groups in Uganda.
3. To advocate for best practices in the administration of justice.
4. To build the civic competence of democratic structures for good governance.
5. To promote electoral democracy beyond the 2011 general elections.
6. To promote leadership development among human rights defenders in the Great Lakes region.
7. To strengthen the institutional capacity and sustainability of FHRI.

III. FOCUS THEMES:

1. Fostering Social Accountability

• Social protection of the vulnerable and minority groups
• Access to justice
• Judicial independence
• Citizen participation

1. Equality

• Gender equality
• Minorities

1. Democratic Governance

• Liberties
• Media freedom
• Electoral democracy

ACTIONS:

I. RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Influences policy and practice change through human rights research, monitoring and documentation, treaty reporting and legislative advocacy.

II. LEGAL SERVICES

Promotes access to justice for the poor and vulnerable groups in Uganda through the provision of legal aid and public interest litigation.

• Legal Aid

Provides free and accessible legal assistance to the poor and vulnerable groups.

• Paralegal Advisory Services (PAS)

Access to justice for poor and marginalized offenders in the criminal justice system.

• Public Interest Litigation

Advocates for constitutionalism, respect for human rights and access to effective

remedies.

III. CIVIC EDUCATION

Enhances human rights and civic awareness in order to increase demand for political and public accountability.

• Public Outreach

Promotes dialogue between duty bearers and rights holders for responsive governance.

• Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda

Enhances citizens’ participation and leadership accountability in Uganda’s political processes.

IV. REGIONAL OUTREACH

Promotes sharing of best practices and collective advocacy for the adherence to international Human Rights standards in the Great Lakes region.

• Death Penalty campaign

Advocates for the progressive abolition of the death penalty and implementation of human rights standards in criminal justice delivery.

V. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Building a sustainable and innovative human rights advocacy organization in Uganda

through:

• •Staff Training and Development
• •Internships
• •Systems Development
• •Communication and Information Management.