Concluding Observations of the African Commission on the 3rd Periodic Report of the Republic of Uganda

Summary: This report compiles all mentions of children's rights in the Concluding Observations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Last Examined: 13-27 May 2009

The delegation was led by the Attorney General and Minister of State for Justice & Constitutional Affairs.

The Commission raised concerns about violations of rights enshrined in the African Charter:

• The prevalence of harmful cultural practices like the ritual sacrifice of children and Female Genital Mutilation particularly in the Aswan region of Uganda continue to affect the enjoyment of human rights; in particular the rights of children.(Paragraph 22)
• The failure to adopt legislative measures to criminalize torture and violence against children.(Paragraph 23)

The Commission raised other concerns about:

• The prevalence of FGM, the ritual sacrifices of children, domestic violence and the continued occurrence of early marriages in Uganda.(Paragraph 36)

The Commission recommended that Uganda:

• Urgently introduce laws to criminalize violence against children, early marriages and measures that will help towards the total eradication of all the harmful cultural practices in Uganda, in particular, the ritual sacrifice of children and Female Genital Mutilation.(Part V, (l))