By BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI
The European Union Human Rights Defenders’ Award (HRD) 2024 winner, Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, a Ugandan academic, activist, and political cartoonist, was honored for his boldness in fighting corruption, notably through the online campaign #UgandaParliamentExhibition. Presented on May 2 at the Denmark ambassador’s residence in Kampala, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to human rights defense in Uganda. Ssentongo, also the 2023 recipient, campaigns for better public infrastructure, healthcare, and law enforcement in Kampala. Familiar as Spire, he uses satirical cartoons in The Observer to provide social commentary and lectures at Makerere and Uganda Martyrs Universities. The digital activism platform Agora Discourse also benefits from his expertise.
Ssentongo expressed gratitude for the recognition, vowing to persist in activism through various means. Denmark Ambassador to Uganda, Signe Winding Albjerg, commended Ssentongo’s online activism for inspiring citizen action. The EU and Norway noted the robust activism in Uganda through numerous HRD Award applications. Other esteemed finalists included women’s rights advocate Jessica Ruth Ataa and human rights lawyer Doreen Namyalo-Kyazze for their impactful work in peacebuilding and prison reform, respectively. The EU Ambassador emphasized the transformative power of human rights defenders in shaping societies. Upholding the rights of HRDs is crucial for promoting human rights values and fostering development.