STELLA MURUNGI

LAWYER, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND CREATIVE TRAINER OF TRAINERS

Legal Services| Operations Management | Capacity Building

Self motivated professional, enthusiastic trainer successful at developing training plans and supplementary materials to help trainees excel, reliable team leader and player with excellent communication skills and 10 years work experience of legal, protection, physical and digital security training. Excellent track record of coordinating teams in a multinational setting and under tough conditions. Accomplished in building interpersonal relationships, capacity planning and decision making.

Hub Cities Development Officer, African Defenders: The Pan Africa Human Rights Defenders Network 

• Published Quarterly Reports: Authored and disseminated quarterly reports detailing the activities of the Ubuntu Hub Cities Program, including updates on relevant partners, donors, and stakeholders. These reports serve as crucial documents for transparency and accountability.
• Established Coordinators' Platform: Orchestrated the setup of a coordinators' platform following a comprehensive five-day stakeholders' meeting in Kampala, October 2019. This platform serves as a pivotal communication and coordination tool for the initiative.
• Drafted Guidelines and MOUs: Developed comprehensive guidelines and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) for the steering committee and coordinators across the program's five sub-regions. These documents provide a clear framework for the implementation of the Ubuntu Hub Cities Initiative.
• Updated CiviCRM Database: Maintained an updated CiviCRM database with all relevant information on cases and the progress of the initiative. This database serves as a vital tool for tracking, reporting, and informing strategic decisions.
• Facilitated Support to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) at Risk: Provided essential support to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) facing risks across various African countries, including assistance with relocation, accommodation, education, legal, and medical support. This support significantly contributes to the safety and well-being of HRDs operating in challenging environments.

Protection Officer, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders 

• Provided Emergency Support to HRDs: Offered rapid assistance to over 1000 Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) at risk across Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. This support included evacuation, accommodation, and sustainable solutions to their challenges, ensuring their safety and well-being amidst precarious circumstances.
• Observed Trials and Ensured Fair Trial Standards: Attended trials of HRDs in locations such as Fort Portal, Uganda, and Bujumbura, Burundi, ensuring adherence to due process and fair trial standards. These observations contribute to upholding the rights of HRDs and ensuring their legal protection in the face of adversity.
• Conducted Training and Capacity Building: Conducted training sessions for over 200 HRDs across various regions in Trainer of Trainers (TOT) programs, physical and digital security skills, and facilitated the development of security plans for their organizations. Additionally, participated in the development of a security management manual for HRDs, enhancing their capacity to navigate risks effectively.
• Engaged in Advocacy and Collaboration: Engaged in advocacy efforts through participation in working groups for specific countries, such as the Protection Working Group in Kenya and joint projects with organizations like the Non-Violent Peace Force and the European Union Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Actively participated in international fora, representing the organization and advocating for the rights of HRDs at various platforms.( The Journalists in Distress Group, Protection working groups in Kenya,Uganda, Sexual Minorities)
• Contributed to Organizational Development: Played a key role in organizational development by organizing the setup of the Floribert Chebeye Resource Centre, facilitating trainings for exiled HRDs and marginalized groups, and developing a customized database to enhance organizational memory and efficiency in managing information. Additionally, volunteered as a Legal Intern and Research Assistant at the High Court of Kampala, gaining practical legal experience and contributing to court cases through research and administrative support.

Top of Form

Legal Intern, High Court of Kampala

• Acquired practical experience on handling of legal matters from filing, oral and written submissions to conclusion of a case
• Acquired skills on alternative dispute resolution
• Developed a network of both legal and non-legal personalities that helped build my career beyond my tenure at the High Court.

Volunteer and Research Assistant, High Court of Kampala

• Conducted research on the following court cases; Bruno Kiwuwa vs. Ivan Serunkuma and another (High Court Civil Suit No. 52 of 2006) where I found out the constitution of Uganda promotes and preserves culture as well as customary law.
• Another notable case was the criminal matter involving a renown Ugandan Doctor Aggrey Kiyingi - Uganda vs. Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi and 2 others, (Criminal case session No. 0030 of 2006). I learned the important role of assessors in criminal matters.
• I proofread over 20 court rulings and judgments and contributed to the precedents used in these rulings and judgments.
• I organized files and court documents and made the office documentation easier to find. At the time I joined, it took a long time to easily find court files, with some files being reported as missing when they were actually there.

Project Coordinator, Southern Africa Student's Volunteer Organization

• Conducted feasibility studies of 3 primary schools in Kakiri district, 1 Primary school in Nakasongola District - Kaweweta Primary school. Kaweweta Primary School was eventually taken over by the Government of Uganda in partnership with the South African High Commission (particularly with the Late His Excellency Bavimule Vilakazi, South Africa’s Ambassador to Uganda. 2003). The Centre is now a training school for the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).

• Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh, Executive Director, Defend Defenders-The East and Horn of Africa Huma Rights Defenders Project, +256 772753753, hshire@yorku.ca
• Ms. Sheila Muwanga, Deputy Director, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, +256 773486911, Smn_81@yahoo.com