Uganda: Two community land rights defenders criminalised in struggle against agribusiness; incl. response by Agilis Partners
On 22 August 2023, two community land rights defenders from Uganda, Barumangabo Sepriano and Ramu Ndahimana were arbitrarily detained and charged with threatening violence, criminal trespass and malicious damage to property. The two defenders are among a group of community land and environmental rights defenders advocating for land, social and economic justice for communities in Kiryandongo district whose land has been targeted by agribusiness. Companies opperating in the region include Great Season SMC Limited, Kiryandongo Sugar Limited, Agilis Partners Limited, and Somdiam Limited.
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Agilis Partners Limited and Somdiam Limited to respond to the allegations. Agilis Partners Limited´s response can be found below. Somdiam Limited, Great Seasons SMC Limited and Kiryandongo Sugar Limited did not respond.