Activist and law student, Aloikin Praise Opoloje has been named the winner of the EU Human Rights Defenders' Award 2025. The award, which was presented during a ceremony on 15^th May at the residence of the Ambassador of Sweden in Kampala, is given annually by the European Union to recognise an outstanding contribution by a human rights defender in Uganda.

Embassy of Sweden Uganda

Ms. Aloikin Praise Opoloje was chosen as the winner in recognition of her courageous activism for civil liberties, accountability, social justice and anti-corruption in Uganda. Born in 1999 in Paliisa district, she is a final-year Law student at Makerere University. She currently serves as the Student Engagement Lead at Open Parly UG, where she organizes student debates on parliamentary issues, and volunteers with the Dwona Initiative, working to combat period poverty and misinformation.

In 2024, Aloikin was actively involved in campaigns addressing political accountability, women’s rights and violations of civic freedoms. Through both grassroots mobilization and digital campaigns, she continues to inspire young people to participate in public life and push for a fairer, more inclusive Uganda.

Receiving the award, Aloikin Praise Opoloje especially recognised the new young generation of human rights defenders in Uganda, saying: “When we call for human rights, we do it passionately and we do it hopefully, for the future we never had and for the past we cannot really talk about”.

Addressing the winner Aloikin Praise Opoloje, European Union Ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Jan Sadek said: “In spite of challenges faced, notably being arrested twice and remanded to Luzira prison, you still carry on and encourage young people to be involved in the politics of Uganda, calling for respect of all rights and respect of the law.”

Embassy of Sweden Uganda

During his address Ambassador Jan Sadek also commended the work of the Ugandan Human Rights Commission: “Chairperson Wangadya deserves a warm appreciation and we recognise her and her dedication, as she is raising her voice on torture, as well as advocating for press freedom and the decriminalization of homosexuality!”. 

Embassy of Sweden Uganda

Once again, the response to the call for nominations for the HRD Award highlighted both the range of human rights issues but also the vibrancy of activism in the country. 

Also shortlisted for this year’s award were Hussein Kato Muyinda, lawyer and environmental rights defender, and Norah Kobusingye, a vocal defender of women’s rights. Mr. Muyinda was nominated for his inspiring work on environmental protection, as the co-founder of the Earth Rights Initiative he has been in the forefront of the struggle for environmental justice. Last year he was elected General Secretary of Climate Action Network Uganda (CAN-U). Ms. Kobusingye was nominated for her bold stand against corruption and gender-based violence. She is also both the co-Executive Director at Freedom Hive Uganda and CEO of Good Future and Hope.

Speaking before the award announcement, Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda Her Excellency Maria Håkansson thanked the three shortlisted candidates for their courage to shine a light on violations and abuses of human rights, and underlined the responsibility of the Ugandan state under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfil human rights for all its citizens, including taking measures to protect Human Rights Defenders. 

Embassy of Sweden Uganda

Background

Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are individuals who, individually or with others, act to promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms in a peaceful manner. These include civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Examples of HRDs include journalists, bloggers, members of human rights NGOs, academics, lawyers, trade unionists, representatives of indigenous communities. The work of HRDs is essential for encouraging the respect for human rights as recognised by international human rights standards and agreements, and to secure accountability. The HRDs' rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly need to be safeguarded to enable them to defend others. 

An individual eligible for the EU HRD Award is nominated by another individual or organisation. Human Rights organisations active in Uganda were invited to nominate candidates for the award. Candidates were assessed by a panel composed of human rights experts of different European Embassies and the EU Heads of Mission. 

Past winners of the EU HRD Award include Mr Gerald Kankya (2012) of Twerwaneho Listeners Club; Mr Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala (2013), former Coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ); the three joint winners (2014) Ms Gladys Canogura of Kitgum Women Peace Initiative, Assistant Commissioner of Police Christine Alalo, Head of the Uganda Police Family and Child Protection Unit, and Mr Mohammed Ndifuna, Director of the Human Rights Network Uganda; Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana (2015), Founder & Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI); Robert Sempala (2016) of the Human Rights Network of Journalists (HRNJ); Ms. Pamela Angwech (2017) Founder & Executive Director of the Gulu Women’s Economic Development & Globalization (GWED-G); two joint winners, Ms. Margaret Arach Orech, Founder and Director of the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association (ULSA) and Mr. Peter Sewakiryanga, a pastor with Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) in 2018; Mr William Amanzuru (2019), an environmental rights defender and founder of Friends of Zoka; Mr Aimé Moninga (2020), Founder of Men of Hope and an advocate for the rights of male survivors of sexual violence in conflict; and Ms. Rita Aciro (2021), Women’s Rights Defender and Executive Director of the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET); Ms. Primah Kwagalah (2022), Executive Director of the Women’s Pro-bono Initiative; Ms. Agather Atuhaire (2023) Team Leader at Agora Discourse; Academic Cartoonist and Activist, Mr Jimmy “Spire” Ssentongo in 2024.