Parliament recommends disbandment of current UHRC leadership over alleged misconduct

By Our Reporter

Parliament has recommended the disbandment of the current leadership of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) following findings of alleged misconduct, financial mismanagement and a breakdown in relations among commissioners that has paralysed the institution’s operations.

The recommendation was adopted during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday after the House considered reports from the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), presented by their respective chairpersons, Hon. John Teira and Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi.

The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs cited failed reconciliation efforts between UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya and three commissioners, failure to hold regular meetings and tribunal sessions, improper dismissal of complaints, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

According to the report, Wangadya unilaterally terminated more than 215 complaints between January 2023 and March 2026 without the Commission sitting to deliberate on them. Some of the cases had reportedly been pending for more than 10 years.

The committee said the practice undermined the principles of natural justice and the Commission’s quasi-judicial mandate, raising concerns about the handling of complaints lodged by people seeking redress for alleged human rights violations.

The report further noted that the last tribunal session was held in November 2025, leaving complainants without a forum through which their cases could be heard and determined.

To address the situation, the committee recommended the establishment of substantive human rights tribunals, reinstatement of complaints dismissed without due process, and measures to ensure that decisions on complaints are made through the tribunals.

It also called on the Inspectorate of Government to investigate allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office and maladministration raised by three commissioners in a petition submitted in March 2026. The Auditor General was also asked to audit the Commission’s finances.

Commissioners Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru and Simeo Nsubuga were separately cited over their participation in elective and partisan politics while serving at the Commission.

During the debate, Nkunyingi moved an amendment recommending the disbandment of the current leadership and the appointment of a new team. The amendment was adopted by the House.

“We must conclude every inquiry with an observation and recommendation,” Nkunyingi said.

His proposal followed an amendment by Gomba West MP Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, who had suggested that the decision on disbandment be left to the appointing authority by inserting the word “may” into the recommendation. However, her proposal was not adopted.

Kassanda County North MP Hon. Patrick Oshabe criticised the commissioners, arguing that their disagreements appeared to centre on personal benefits rather than service delivery.

“It is unfortunate that the fight at the commission is about trips, cars and allowances, among others,” he said.

Terego District Woman Representative Hon. Rose Obigah supported strong measures against the commissioners, while Ayivu Division East MP Hon. William Tiyo argued that appointing a new team could bring renewed energy and help restore the Commission’s effectiveness.

However, Ntoroko County MP Hon. Edson Rugumayo cautioned against dismissing commissioners in the public interest, proposing instead that the appointed commissioners be replaced.

Nyendo-Mukungwe Division MP Hon. Ssebina Lubowa called for the retention of staff who had not been implicated in the dispute, emphasising the need to protect personnel who were not responsible for the leadership crisis.

The Minister of State for Public Service, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, told Parliament that efforts to reconcile the warring parties had failed to produce meaningful progress.

“Efforts have been made by the Ministry of Public Service but we did not make good progress,” she said.

Her remarks reinforced concerns raised in the committee reports that attempts to resolve the disagreements within the Commission had not restored effective working relations.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who presided over the proceedings, cautioned Parliament against recommending the dismissal of technical staff who had not been involved in the crisis.

His intervention highlighted the need to distinguish between the leadership dispute and the wider workforce to avoid penalising employees who were not implicated in the alleged misconduct.

The parliamentary recommendations seek to address the leadership impasse, restore the Commission’s operations and ensure that complaints of alleged human rights violations are handled through established procedures.