The Rights for All Activity (RFA) was designed as a five-year project funded by USAID. The Activity was born out of a co-creation process convened by USAID in Kampala, where EWMI and Ugandan civil society partners came together to shape a locally grounded yet strategically ambitious initiative. The goal of the Activity was to expand the realization of civil liberties in Uganda. This included strengthening the capacity and protection of human rights CSOs, human rights defenders (HRDs), and pro-democracy actors (PDAs); empowering citizens to know, demand, and defend their rights; and promoting accountability for the country’s national and international human rights commitments. The Activity built upon EWMI’s longstanding global expertise in human rights programming, public interest law, and rule of law reform—bringing together technical rigor and localized approaches to civic protection and legal empowerment.

Implemented across 54 districts spanning sub-regions such as Acholi, Bukedi, Elgon, Kampala, and Rwenzori, the Activity sought to reach the grassroots while strengthening coordination at the national level. The technical scope was shaped by real-time human rights trends and evidence gathered through documentation efforts and learning activities. Similarly, the design was adaptive, incorporating tools including a Crisis Modifier Readiness Plan, a Human Rights Empowerment Fund, and a Rapid Response Grant (RRG) framework positioned to enable swift response to emerging threats.

Among the key lessons learned was the value of genuine localization: local partners demonstrated remarkable capacity, adaptability, and leadership even in the face of disruption. While the Activity concluded earlier than planned, the systems, tools, and partnerships established during its short lifespan remain viable. They represent not just what was done, but what could still be achieved.