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Today, we host human rights defenders exiled in Uganda, representatives of Ugandan government authorities including the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Uganda Police Force, partners and civil society organisations for the 6th Interactive Dialogue between human rights defenders exiled in Uganda and protection service providers.

Convened under the theme “Beyond Exile: From Displacement to Resilience, Pathways to Self-Reliance,” the dialogue provides a platform to share experiences, strengthen partnerships and explore pathways to self-reliance.

Opening the session, @MemoryBandera , Director of Programmes and Administration at DefendDefenders, welcomed guests, observing all protocols. She emphasised the dialogue’s role in strengthening the resilience, capacity and support systems of human rights defenders in exile in Uganda.

#6thPSP

Earlier today, our Executive Director, @Hassan_shire , delivered welcome remarks at the opening of the 9th Annual Women Human Rights Defenders’ Conference, organised annually by @HRCUG , under the theme, “From Survival to Wealth Generation: Advancing Economic Justice for Women.”

Hassan challenged participants to rethink how economic justice for women is understood and pursued, emphasising the need to move beyond survival towards meaningful economic participation, ownership and wealth generation. He noted that women are not merely participants in economies but entrepreneurs, innovators, caregivers, community builders, professionals and leaders who drive economic growth and social transformation. Yet, despite their contributions, women across Uganda and the region continue to face significant barriers to economic participation and access to resources and opportunities.

He reaffirmed that women human rights defenders (WHRDs) remain central to DefendDefenders’ work through its programs, noting that the organisation recognises both the distinct risks they face and their extraordinary capacity for leadership, innovation and resilience. Drawing on DefendDefenders’ experience supporting WHRDs living in exile in Uganda from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, he highlighted how modest support grants have enabled some to establish sustainable businesses and income-generating initiatives despite experiences of conflict, displacement, insecurity and disrupted livelihoods. Beyond improving their own economic circumstances, many have used these opportunities to support fellow WHRDs, empower their peers and sustain their human rights work.

Annie Nturbika, a woman human rights defender from the Democratic Republic of the Congo living in exile in Uganda, shares how her life changed after relocating.

Listen as she reflects on rebuilding her life away from home and expresses gratitude to DefendDefenders, through Ubuntu Hub City, for its support throughout her journey.

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Our panel discussion, moderated by @bikjo, Coordinator of AfricanDefenders, examined Uganda’s refugee governance framework, access to basic services, and self-reliance.

The speakers included @baseeraagie, representing the Commissioner for Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister; Majid Maali, Coordinator of Sudan Defenders; Ronald Mutebi from the Uganda Police Refugee Desk and Dr. Pius Ojara from the Refugee Law Project.

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We delivered an oral intervention following the presentation of the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa.
In our statement called for stronger protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), including integrating their protection into the monitoring of the implementation of the Maputo Protocol. We also raised concerns about the risks facing WHRDs in Ethiopia and Sudan, as well as restrictions on women’s civic participation in Zimbabwe and highlighted growing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

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