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(ii)
Mr. Samuel B. Tindifa, Ag. Director, Human Rights and Peace
Centre, (the Centre) Makerere University briefed me about the
activities of the Centre and I also informed him about the work of
the Commission.
The Centre was established in 1992 to mainly engage the
University (Makewere) in human rights discourse. Its programme
includes teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels. A course
in refugee law is offered to graduate students. Other courses the
Centre offers are:
Gender and The Law as well as Humanitarian Law. [t also
publishes the East African Journal on Peace and Hurnan Rights,
and this is in its 5th Volume. The Centre's outreach programme
includes workshops and conferences.
In 1996 it had a workshop on Interdisciplinary teaching of human
rights. Ten Years of National Resistance Movement, Impact of
Armed Conflict on Minority and Indigenous Children In the Great
Lakes and The Horn of Africa have also been subjects of
workshops, the latter as recently as April 1998. As a matter of
policy, the Centre organises a workshop on 10 December each
year.
An internship programme has also been developed by the Centre:
two students from Buffalo, U.S.A. have served under it, and a
student from Sweden was expected. From the University students
of all backgrounds are posted to various organisations to
understand problems confronting people in human rights. The
purpose underlining the programme is to build a constituency of
young people who understand human rights. Monetary
compensation from a fund provided by the Swedish govemment is
given to these young activists. As a way of keeping contact with
interns an Association of Former Interns has been formed. On a
part-time basis they are involved in a Prisoners Rights
Programme.
In collaboration with FIDA and the Legal Aid Project of the Law
Society, the Centre provides legal aid to the needy. Street Law
Incorporation, Washington D.C. through Georgetown University
provides support for this aspect of the Centre's work.
Of the future, the Centre intends to introduce human rights into
all courses in the University. To this end, needs assessment of
Faculties was in progress. This initial step would be followed by a
workshop for deans and administrators. A curriculum for children
in and out. of school was being developed.
4