Human Rights Lawyer Steven Kalali says court is frustrating his case that seeks to promote justice for police officers with poor housing facilities.
Last year, Kalali petitioned the High Court to compel the government into providing decent housing for all police officers living in the barracks across the country. Kalali contended that it violates their human rights in 1995 Constitution.
He filed a case before the Civil Division of High Court after the Internal Affairs Committee visited Jinja Police Barracks and found existing dilapidated structures built-in 1934.
Kalali filed a case against the Attorney General over the matter-which he says contravenes provisions of the constitution as well as the right to a clean and healthy environment.
He attached photos of dilapidated housing units in Mbale, Jinja, and Nsambya Police Barracks and the Auditor General Reports for 2012, 2016, and 2020, which pointed to the sorry state of the police barracks.
Kalali further argued that Uganda is a signatory to Regional, International and treaties, which emphasize the right to a healthy environment.
These include among others the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, International Covenant on economic, social, and cultural rights among others. He explained in his petition that the Uganda Police Force receives budgetary allocations annually part of which should be used by the welfare department to cater to the well-being of the officers.
In his petition, Kalali is also concerned that some police officers are earning peanuts at the expense of others. He states that the lowest ranking officer, a police constable, is paid Shs 470,000 per month followed by a Corporal, with Shs 530,000, and a sergeant, who walks home with only Shs 570,000 monthly.
Others are Assistant Inspector of Police and Inspector of Police, who earn Shs456,000 and Shs 520,000 monthly.
The hearing which was supposed to commence today, didn’t take place after the court registrar informing them that the justice in the matter, Justice Douglas Singiza is having some election petitions he’s handling.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
