Ugandan academic, cartoonist, and human rights defender Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has been awarded the prestigious 2024 EU Human Rights Defenders Award. The award, presented by the European Union and Norway, recognizes Ssentongo’s courageous work in exposing corruption and advocating for better public services in Uganda.
Danish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Signe Skovbakke Winding Albjerg, presented the award, praising Ssentongo’s “courage and resilience” in utilizing social media to raise awareness and spark citizen engagement. Ssentongo’s online campaigns, often presented as social media “exhibitions,” have tackled critical issues like accountability and transparency within Ugandan public life.
While his activism has garnered him significant praise, it has also come at a cost. Ssentongo has faced threats due to his fearless exposure of wrongdoing. Despite these risks, he continues to be a vocal advocate for improved public services in Uganda.
The ceremony also recognized two other human rights champions. Ms. Jesca Ruth Ataa was commended for her tireless efforts in advancing the rights of Karamajong women, while Ms. Doreen Namyalo-Kyazze received recognition for her work defending the rights of vulnerable people in prisons.
EU Ambassador Jan Sadek saluted all three human rights defenders, stating, “These individuals demonstrate that universal values have real meaning in everyday life, and that they have the power to transform people’s lives when used as a framework for governing societies.”
