Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

What is FHRI
The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan and not-for-profit human rights advocacy organisation established in 1991.

Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, Executive Director -FHRI

VISION
A human rights and civic culture as a foundation for peace, stability, democracy, social justice and sustainable development in Uganda.
MISSION
To enhance respect and observance of human rights, rule of law and civic values through training, education, research, advocacy, ICTs and strategic partnerships.
MANDATE
• To respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
• To empower citizens with human rights knowledge and skills to demand and defend their rights; and
• To advocate for a human rights responsive policy and legislative framework that can foster respect for human dignity.
CORE VALUES
• Equal opportunity
• Result-oriented
• Team work
• Excellence
• Timeliness
Objectives
• To promote citizen awareness of basic human rights and duties guaranteed in the Ugandan
Constitution and International human rights instruments.
• To undertake research, monitoring and documentation of human rights practices.
• To promote good governance, respect for the rule of law, democracy and legal protection of human rights
• To promote best practices in the administration of justice in Uganda
• To enhance the capacity of democratic structures with knowledge on legal rights, procedures, remedies and civic obligations.
• To promote access to justice through public interest litigation and legal aid services.
• To promote solidarity and partnership building with and among similar institutions, government, communities and individuals on a national, regional and international level
• To build a strong and sustainable human rights organization
Project Title:
Between Rhetoric and Practice: Bridging the Democratic Divide in Uganda (2017 – 2021)
Overall Goal:
A strengthened culture of constitutionalism, a more human rights friendly regulatory framework, increased access to justice and a well – informed and active citizenry that defends their rights and holds leaders accountable by 2021.
Programme
The programme aims to build active citizenship and enhance access to justice through four cross-cutting strategies namely: Rights Awareness; Rights Monitoring; Constitution, Legislation and Policy Reform Advocacy; and Legal Services Provision. These are realised under the following core activities :
Program Focus:
Bridging Rights and Values: strengthening the civic and democratic culture in Uganda.
Core Activities:
• Research and Advocacy
• Civic Education
• Legal Services
• Rights and Rule of Law
• Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty
• Alliance Building
• Paralegal Advisory Services (PAS)
• Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU)
Research and Advocacy
Undertake research, monitoring and documentation of human rights practices in order to influence policy and practice change through evidence-based human rights advocacy.
Civic Education
Enhance human rights and civic awareness in order to build a citizen movement capable of demanding political and social accountability.
Legal Services
Promotes access to justice for poor and vulnerable persons in Uganda through the provision of legal aid and public interest litigation.
Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy (CCEDU)
Enhances citizens’ participation and leadership accountability in Uganda’s political processes.
Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty
Advocates for progressive abolition of the death penalty and implementation of human rights standards in criminal justice delivery.
Rights and Rule of Law
Promotes judicial independence through judicial strengthening, public interest litigation and public outreach campaigns.
Paralegal Advisory Services (PAS)
Promotes access to justice for poor and marginalised persons within the criminal justice system.

Together we can make a difference.