The Julius Osega Lecture is an annual lecture on governance and human rights in Africa, held within the framework of a consortium of 13 African universities that present the Master’s programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA). The University of Pretoria, where I am based with the Centre for Human Rights, and the University of the Western Cape – this year’s hosting institution – are part of this network, which stretches from Ethiopia (Addis Ababa University) in the east to Senegal (Université Gaston Berger) in the west.
Julius Osega was a graduate of the Master’s programme. After graduating, he returned to work with the Uganda Police Service. He was promoted to head the Human Rights Complaints Desk ― a position he held until he was deployed to Darfur as part of the African Union force. He was also the Deputy Acting Commissioner for the Legal Department in the Uganda Police Service. At the time of his death he held the rank of Police Superintendent and upon his death he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent.
Introduction to Julius Osega Memorial Lecture
2023: Université Gaston Berger
- Prof Samson Igor Bidossessi Guedegbe, UNESCO Chair: DPHD, Université Abomey Calavi (Bénin)
- Prof Maurice Soudieck Dione, Deputy Director of the Faculty (in the absence of Prof Mame-Penda Ba, Director of Global Africa), Université Gaston Berger
- Prof Mbissane Ngom, Director of LER-DHDAJE, Université Gaston Berger
2021: University of the Western Cape
- Commissioner Chikondi Chijozi, Malawi Human Rights Commission
- Anneke Meerkotter, Executive Director, South African Litigation Centre
2020: University of Nairobi and University of Ghana
- Prof Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, University of Ghana
- Prof Edwin Abuya, University of Nairobi
2019: Université Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, Cameroon
- Me Christian Bissou, Emeritus member of the Council of Order and President of the Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms of the Cameroon Bar Medalist of the Bar
2017: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- Dr Solomon Dress, Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
2016: University of Nairobi
- Prof Yash Pal Ghai
- Hon. Ekwe Ethuro (Speaker of the Senate)
- Ms Kagwiria Mbogori (Chair, Kenya National Commission of Human Rights)
- Prof PLO Lumumba (CEO, Kenya School of Law)
- Prof Mutuma Ruteere (Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies)
- Isaac Okero (President, Law Society of Kenya)
- Linus Kaikai (Managing Editor, NTV)
2013: Makerere University
- Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique