UCT alumnus an EU human rights defender

Dr Livingstone Sewanyana, who obtained a law doctorate from UCT, recently received the 2015 European Union (EU) Human Rights Defender Award in Kampala, Uganda.

Livingstone (middle, pictured with EU representatives) set up a leading human rights group in Uganda, namely the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative and was awarded the Pan-African Human Rights Defender Award in 2013.

In his recent acceptance speech he advocated for an expanded political space where citizens gave direct input into who leads them and how resources are allocated. Livingstone was one of 50 nominees for this year's EU award, which pays tribute to human rights activists across the world.

He completed his PhD at UCT in 2012. The focus of his research was the NGO regulatory framework in Southern and Eastern Africa. Following this research he expressed the hope that his doctoral thesis would guide states that seek to promote full citizen participation in the development process.

Story by Abigail Calata. Image supplied.