Country / Where did you grow up:
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Academic qualifications:
Licence en Droit, option: Droit économique et social, Université technologique Bel Campus, The Democratic Republic Of Congo
Experience:
4 years experience as Legal assistant at Associate Law Firm President of the Bar Alain MAVAMBU, DRC.
Academic fields of interest:
The Rights of Refugees, Migration Law and Environmental Law
Position prior to the programme:
I was a Legal Assistant.
Country / Where did you grow up:
Uganda Kampala
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Development Studies from Makerere University, Uganda
Experience:
Am a social worker Trans activist and Human Rights Activist and I have worked with 3 LGBTQ organisations in Uganda but currently working with Tranz Network Uganda a network organisation that facilities coordination and collaboration amongst Trans led organisations in Uganda.
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights and Leadership. Sexual and Gender Minority Issues
Position prior to the programme:
Assistant Programs officers at Tranz Network Uganda
Media Publications
- Free the 19 Remanded LGBTQ+ Persons Under Pretext of COVID-19 Regulations
Originally published in Kuchu Times
25 April 2020
Country / Where did you grow up:
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Academic qualifications:
BA Law and LLB at the University of Pretoria, South Africa
Experience:
Worked as an intern at Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, and Legal consultant at C.Gauche Pty(Ltd)
Academic fields of interest:
International Human Rights Law and International Relations
Position prior to the programme:
LLB Student at the University of Pretoria
luyanda17@gmail.com
Media Publications
- COVID-19 exposes bad governance in Zimbabwe
Originally published in Politico Online
27 April 2020
Country / Where did you grow up:
Arusha, Tanzania
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws(LL.B) from Mzumbe Main-Campus University Morogoro, Tanzania. Post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Law School of Tanzania, Dar es salaam Tanzania, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda.
Experience:
I work as an assistant researcher for Dr Elifuraha Laitaika who is an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum for indigenous issues (UNPFII)
Academic fields of interest:
International Humanitarian Law, Litigation, indigenous rights, and democracy and constitutional law, and international human rights law
Position prior to the programme:
Assistant researcher for Dr Elifuraha Laitaika who is an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum for indigenous issues(UNPFII)
Country / Where did you grow up:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor degree in law, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
Experience:
I hold a Bachelor degree in Laws from the University of Haramaya, Ethiopia. After completing my first degree, I worked with the Human Rights and Transitional Justice Unit at the African Union Commission.
Academic fields of interest:
Migration and Transitional Justice in Africa.
Position prior to the programme:
I was a junior consultant in Human Rights and Transitional Justice Unit at the African Union Commission.
Country / Where did you grow up:
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Academic qualifications:
LLB Private and judicial law, Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB), DRC
Experience:
Assistant Teaching at UCB and Legal Aid Officer at CADDHOM-NGO
Academic fields of interest:
LGBTIQ rights
Position prior to the programme:
Legal Aid Officer at CADDHOM-NGO
Country / Where did you grow up:
Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Academic qualifications:
I have earned an LLB degree from Haramaya University in Ethiopia and LLM Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
Experience:
I have served as an Assistant Lecturer at Haramaya University for more than two years. In addition, I have been a volunteer for more than three years on a project called AJLA (Access to Justice and Legal Aid) by giving free legal service to the marginalized group of people.
Academic fields of interest:
I am interested in human rights with a particular focus on children's rights. I am also interested in transitional justice and anti-corruption areas.
Position prior to the programme:
Prior to joining the HRDA programme, I have been working as an Assistant Lecturer at Haramaya University.
Country / Where did you grow up:
Nairobi, Kenya
Academic qualifications:
Bachelors of Law (LLB) (Hons) Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenya; Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Advocates Training Program), Kenya School of Law.
Experience:
I was an advocate of the High Court of Kenya practising as an associate advocate at CM Advocates LLP undertaking litigation in children, women, constitutional and judicial review matters. Previously, before joining CM Advocates, I undertook my pupillage at R.W. Mbanya & Co. Advocates.
Academic fields of interest:
Human rights, women and children rights, constitutional and constitutionalism, access to justice and transitional justice.
Position prior to the programme:
Associate advocate at CM Advocates LLP, Nairobi, Kenya. carolrono92@gmail.com
Country / Where did you grow up:
Windhoek, Namibia
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws at the University of Namibia, Namibia.
Experience:
Intern at the Law Reform and Development Commission of Namibia;
Academic fields of interest:
Social Justice and Strategic Litigation
Position prior to the programme:
Enrolled at the Justice Training Centre to be admitted to the High Court of Namibia
Country / Where did you grow up:
Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in legal science at Université Privée de Ouagadougou and master 1 degree in public law at Universitée Privée de Ouagadougou
Experience:
After my master 1 degree in public law, I worked as intern at the ''Centre Africain de Droit International Pénal et du droit Humanitaire'' (CADIPH).
Academic fields of interest:
I am interested in human rights, especially women and children rights. I am also interested in humanitarian law and international criminal law.
Position prior to the programme:
Student and Intern
Country / Where did you grow up:
Makeni City, Sierra Leone.
Academic qualifications:
BA (Hons) in Mass Communication, Fourah Bay College (University of Sierra Leone)
Experience:
Mustapha Dumbuya is a Sierra Leonean international journalist and human rights media trainer. Before coming to pursue the MPhil in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, Mustapha was based in South Sudan where he worked as journalism trainer. His stories have appeared in various international media outlets such as the New Internationalist, News Deeply, the BBC World Service, and Inter Press Service among others (IPS).
Prior to joining JHR in South Sudan, Mustapha worked for BBC Media Action in Sierra Leone as a producer and community radio mentor/trainer. One of the pinnacle events of his career was covering the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa as its ravaged communities in Sierra Leone, particularly affecting the women who cared for the sick.
It was then that he realized the power of radio to educate entire communities on their human rights and help change the mindsets of the public.
This passion fueled him through three years working as a media trainer for JHR in South Sudan, training journalists and civil society activists on human rights reporting and empowering them to speak out on critical issues that need to be addressed by the authorities.
Academic fields of interest:
I am interested in the intersection between media and transitional justice in Africa. I am particularly interested in the role the media play plays in the promotion of human rights in a post-conflict context.
Position prior to the programme:
Senior International Media Trainer, Journalists for Human Rights in South Sudan.
Media Publications
- The impact of technology on mental health during COVID-19
Originally published on AfricLaw
22 May 2020 - Ruling out violence as a means to achieving compliance with COVID-19 measures
Originally published in Politico Online
22 April 2020
Country / Where did you grow up:
Sierra Leone
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science. Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone.
Experience:
I have been working towards improving the lives of the most vulnerable people.
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights
Position prior to the programme:
Supervisor
Country / Where did you grow up:
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree, University of Zimbabwe
Experience:
Opal is a registered Legal Practitioner and Conveyancer. She completed her Law Degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 2014 and worked as a Legal Officer at Justice for Children. She has 5 years of experience working in the child rights sector. She has expertise in both criminal and civil litigation in child-related matters. She has been actively involved in strengthening the capacity of stakeholders, children and communities on child protection laws. Opal has also been actively involved in lobbying and advocating for policy reform on issues affecting children in Zimbabwe.
Academic fields of interest:
Children's Rights
Position prior to the programme:
Legal Officer at Justice for Children
Country / Where did you grow up:
Mbale, Uganda
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Hons), Uganda Christian University (Uganda).
Experience:
Johnson's career started in 2010 as an intern at a local radio station where he worked as a talk show co-host for a weekly news round-up. He later joined Monitor Publications Ltd, a Nation Media Group company, as a reporter. He has also worked as Chief Sub-editor at Red Pepper Publications Ltd, News Editor at The Standard, National Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Directors at Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda, and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Uganda Journalists’ Network, among others. Besides, he has won several awards, most notable being the Best Overall Winner of Uganda Media Rights Award in 2016 and first runner-up for the same award in 2017.
Academic fields of interest:
Strategic advocacy and litigation, international human rights law, Sexual minorities' rights, Forced migration and refugee law, Freedom of the press and other media, Women and children's rights, and transitional justice.
Position prior to the programme:
Editor at Monitor Publications Ltd, a Nation Media Group company in Uganda.johnsonmayamba@gmail.com
Media Publications
- The impact of technology on mental health during COVID-19
Originally published on AfricLaw
22 May 2020
Country / Where did you grow up:
Imo State, Nigeria
Academic qualifications:
1. Bachelor of Laws (University of The Gambia) The Gambia,
2. Barrister at law (Nigerian Law School) Nigeria
Experience:
I represented the University of The Gambia at the 2016 Philip C. Jessup World Moot Court Competition. Following my graduation, I worked as a legal intern at the Secretariat of the African Commission (ACHPR), where among other things, I drafted decisions and presented the same at its sessions.
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance
Position prior to the programme:
A Legal Practitioner
Country / Where did you grow up:
Beira, Mozambique
Academic qualifications:
LLB at University Catholic of Mozambique - Mozambique Beira
Experience:
I have a degree in Law. I did some internships in law offices. I also did some years of volunteer work in the community. I am also an advocate for many causes of minorities rights.
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights - Women rights, child rights and all minorities rights.
Position prior to the programme:
I was doing an internship to become a professional lawyer.
Country / Where did you grow up:
Guinea
Academic qualifications:
Master in Private Law Univerity Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry Guinea
Experience:
Attorney Foromo Frédéric Loua is founding president and the senior trial lawyer of Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT), one of main Guinean Non-governmental organization which provides legal assistance to prisoners throughout the country. Attorney Loua also works towards reducing the prevalent use of torture during investigations. As a practicing lawyer, He collaborates with Human Rights Watch on its reports on Guinea, in particular on torture and the excessive use of force by the Guinean security forces. He is an active member of the Guinean human rights commission and has collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide legal assistance to refugees in Guinea. From September 2008 to February 2009, he acted as “resident expert” for the International Forum for Democracy studies at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), where he conducted research on the legal system reform and the democratization process in Guinea. As it pertains to the reformation of the Guinean security forces, Attorney Loua has worked with the High Commissioner of Human Rights by providing training to the guinea security forces on human rights and international humanitarian law. In the end, Attorney Loua has been increasingly focused on the reform of criminal laws in accordance with Guinea's international commitments, the promotion of a legal environment favourable to populations affected by mining projects and democratic governance issues.
Academic fields of interest:
Human Rights and Democratisation
Position prior to the programme:
President and Senior Trial Lawyer of Mêmes Droits pour Tous
Media Publication
- The impact of technology on mental health during COVID-19
Originally published on AfricLaw
22 May 2020 - Quand l'obstination du président de la République à dérouler
Originally published in Mosaiqueguinee
17 April 2020
Country / Where did you grow up:
Western Division, The Gambia
Academic qualifications:
LLB, University of The Gambia
Experience:
I hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of The Gambia and was subsequently called to the Gambian Bar in 2017. I also have a post-graduate diploma in Peace and Security Studies from the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London. Professionally, I worked with the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission of The Gambia as an Assistant Women Affairs Coordinator. My previous stints include working as a Consultant with UN Women, Nigeria Country Office under the Women, Peace and Security unit and briefly, as a Magistrate at the Judiciary of The Gambia.
Academic fields of interest:
Feminist theories, gender equality, transitional justice, state-building, conflict transformation, and sexual violence in conflict settings.
Position prior to the programme:
Assistant Women Affairs Coordinator; Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission of The Gambia
Country / Where did you grow up:
Pakwach, Uganda
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration (Hons), Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda.
Experience:
I have been working with the Uganda Human Rights Commission since 2010 as a Human Rights Officer-in-charge of Complaints and Investigations at the Arua Regional Office. I am also an Accredited Mediator with the Judiciary of Uganda where I conduct court-annexed mediations.
Academic fields of interest:
I am interested in Children's Rights, Women's Rights and Transitional Justice.
Position prior to the programme:
Human Rights Officer/ Complaints and Investigations at the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
HRDA Tutor and Doctoral Candidate
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 3810
clement.agyemang@up.ac.za
Country / Where did you grow up:
Elubo, Western Region, Ghana
Academic qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST), Ghana.
Experience:
Teaching experience, active politics and political activism
Academic fields of interest:
International relations, constitutionalism, human rights, democratisation and decentralisation.
Position prior to the programme:
Politician, political activist and political communicator
