HRCU recognizes the importance of advocacy in the work of human defenders. Over the years, the organization has grown through a focus on its mandate of contributing to a conducive environment for the protection of human rights defenders in Uganda. At the core of HRCU’s advocacy initiatives is the need to ensure adherence to international human rights standards in relation to HRDs and their work in Uganda; attain favourable policies and legislation for the protection of human rights defenders in Uganda; create visibility amongst the stakeholders and relevant audiences about the concept of human rights and the work and rights of human rights defenders; contribute to the attainment of sustainable development goals especially goals 5 and 16 through encouraging participation by all relevant stakeholders and expand and strengthen the work of human rights defenders through fundraising to support outreach and advocacy efforts and initiatives.
As much as possible, HRCU adopts a partnership leaning approach at the grassroots, national and international level and this is mainly because the scope of work of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms cannot be done by a single person, organisation or institution due to many factors involved and the diversity of the concept of human rights.
HRCU’s advocacy and networking efforts to support HRDs shall therefore be geographically limitless as synergies shall be derived across the regions including the Central; Western (Ankole and Rwenzori); Northern (Acholi, Lango, Karamoja, Sebei) and; Eastern (Bugisu, Teso)to create sustainable impact in creating the envisioned just societies.
Networks and platforms are created through media engagement and participation by HRDs and strategic stakeholders, regional dialogue meetings to discuss pertinent issues affecting HRDs and their work and annual HRDs’ forums.
These provide the HRDs and stakeholders with an opportunity to cooperate with and educate each other, report on their experiences, share relevant information, show solidarity as they come together to advocate for positive change. It is through such cooperation and coordination amongst the HRDs that a critical mass is developed to effectively advocate for the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, not only of the HRDs but also the people they work for.