On Friday 27th June 2014, Defenders Protection Initiative organized a breakfast meeting that was under the theme “Exploring the emerging security and safety challenges faced by civil society in Uganda”
The event that attracted participants from over fifty (50) CSOs aimed at bringing together CEOs and Program implementing staff of various organizations to share experiences on various security incidents that they have experienced and brainstorming on the best ways possible to prevent such risks from happening or mitigating the likelihood of their resurgence .
The event organized by DPI was moderated by a vibrant and vivacious Mr. Muhammad from Legal Brains Trust – A Legal Aid Project that focuses on offering legal services to human rights defenders as well as implementing activities that aim at promoting voice and accountability.
The guest speaker at the event was Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana–Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) whose vast knowledge and experience in civil society provided a rich insight of various challenges that many organizations face in the implementation of their activities, highlighted some solutions that can address such challenges.
Defenders Protection Initiative also created awareness in security and safety management in organizations through her tailored presentations that were aimed at addressing practical problems faced by civil society in Uganda. Presentations focused on highlighting the key pointers that aid in understanding the context in which civil society operates, various ways through which perpetrators can frustrate civil society activities.DPI also provided practical solutions to prevent and/ or mitigate the occurrence of such threats.
Digital Security was also given high priority with emphasis being put on the emerging digital insecurities, best ways to mitigate them and focusing on the key emerging tactical tools that Human Rights Defenders can use to increase on their security and safety management levels like the Panic Button.
Other presenters included Mr. Jonathan Odur from Facilitating Peace and Development (FAPAD) an organization based in Lira,he shared his experience regarding various challenges that come with implementing civil society activities including his several arrests – and shared some tips that he suggested would be good for human rights defenders when implemented.
It was a great pleasure for Defenders Protection Initiative to organize such a successful event that attracted a large number of civil society organizations and media practitioners.DPI prides its self in offering quality services to Civil Society Organizations and Individual Human Rights Defenders in safety and security management. We thank each and every one who made the event possible and share our unlimited appreciation for all those who attended in such great numbers.