PRESS RELEASE APRIL 3, 2017

UGANDA TAKES A STAND ON TOBACCO CONTROL.

The Attorney General of Uganda last week responded to the Petition by the Tobacco Industry challenging the Tobacco Control Act 2015.  The Tobacco control advocates have over years worked so hard to have the tobacco control law in Uganda. This is against the background that tobacco as a product has devastating effects on the public and the general public health of all Ugandans.

As civil society, we are in full support of the government of Uganda in regulating tobacco use in the country.  To that end the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) also filed an application to be added as an interested party to officially participate in the proceedings against the tobacco industry.

According to Ms. Elsa Zawedde a lawyer at CEHURD, “Civil society is also in support of the unwavering and exemplary determination of the Ministry of Health in promoting the Health care of the Citizens of Uganda through leading the tobacco control campaign and such efforts should not be in vain.”

CEHURD appreciates all the Tobacco Control Advocates for employing the MPOWER approach through Monitoring the tobacco epidemic and prevention policies, Protecting people from second hand smoke where they live, earn and play, Offering quit assistance to current smokers, Warning about the dangers of tobacco, Enforcing Comprehensive restrictions and Raising awareness on tobacco dangers.

Tobacco regulation is not unique to Uganda but also other countries like the United Kingdom, Brazil and others. Uganda like other countries, is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and obliged to implement the same.

All jurisdictions and courts in the world have ruled against tobacco including the recent Kenyan ruling against British American Tobacco. The victory of our neighbors is our motivation to keep fighting for a tobacco free Uganda, because everyone has a right to a clean and healthy environment according to Kabanda David,   a lawyer at the Center for health, Human Rights and Development.

“A tobacco free Uganda, everyone’s responsibility”

A U.S policy that imposes anti-abortion restrictions against the use of global health assistance prevents U.S agencies and other U.S institutions from funding organizations that provide abortion services or related information. This policy which was initiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 was first invoked by the George W. Bush administration in 2001 and later by President Donald Trump in his first weeks of his administration. Since 1984, the US Republican Governments have argued that the gag rule aims at reducing cases of abortion but results of studies in this policy prove otherwise. FIND HERE THE FULL FACT SHEET of the The Global Gag Rule and its Impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Uganda.

The Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), Prof. Ben. K. Twinomugisha and Dr Rose Nakayi have petitioned court challenging the failure of the State of Uganda to make a law regulating termination of pregnancy as is required by the Constitution. The petitioners therefore among others calls upon the courts of Laws to declare that the failure of the Parliament to make a law regulating termination of pregnancy contravenes provisions of the Constitution of Uganda.

FIND FULL FACT SHEET ABOUT THE PETITION HERE

CEHURD is looking for a National Consultant for HIV and Law, with a strong interest and passion for the Organization’s mission. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of CEHURD. This National Consultant will perform different duties and produces as well as expect to avail a couple of deliverables during a given period of time. Please read the full Terms of Reference and send in your application before the deadline. Find the FULL TORs Here.

 

 

CEHURD is looking for a National Consultant for HIV and HIV – Community Assessment and Mapping with a strong interest and passion for the Organization’s mission. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of CEHURD. This National Consultant will perform different duties and produces as well as expect to avail a couple of deliverables during a given period of time. Please read the full Terms of Reference and send in your application before the deadline. Find the FULL TORs Here.