President Museveni Rejected My Resignation, Says UHRC Boss Wangadya

Embattled Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, has disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni intervened directly to prevent her departure from her role. Appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday, Ms. Wangadya stated that the President verbally rejected her resignation after she submitted her letter in July.

During the committee session, which followed a directive for her arrest after previous missed summons, Ms. Wangadya explained that President Museveni called her personally. She reported being instructed to return to her office immediately if she had already left, a directive she has since followed. “I was instructed, if I had left office, to return to office immediately. And I complied with the directive of the Fountain of Honor,” she told the committee.

Ms. Wangadya further clarified that the Attorney General, Mr. Sam Mayanja, later reinforced the President’s position in Parliament, confirming that she remained the substantive chairperson. “He did not speak just on his own behalf. The words he spoke were the words of His Excellency the President… And I respect the Fountain of Honor, so I am in office,” she affirmed.

The revelation comes amidst significant scrutiny of the UHRC’s governance and financial management, with the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending December 31, 2025, under examination by COSASE. Proceedings also highlighted internal dysfunction and friction within the commission, with reports indicating no formal leadership meetings have occurred since December 2025, paralyzing its tribunal system and operations. A strained interaction between Ms. Wangadya and Commissioner Stephen Basaliza during the session visibly underscored these internal rifts.