governance 15 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Parliament Calls for UHRC Leadership Shake-up Amidst Governance Crisis
Parliament's COSASE committee has recommended the retirement of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) leadership due to severe internal conflicts and a backlog of unresolved cases. The dysfunctionality has reportedly undermined public trust and crippled the commission's ability to fulfill its mandate. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/cosase-recommends-overhaul-of-uhrc-leadership-over-fractured-governance-unresolved-case-backlog-5634046
Parliament has called for a significant overhaul of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) leadership, proposing retirement in the public interest. This recommendation stems from a damning report by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), which highlighted “fractured governance” and a crippling backlog of unresolved cases.
According to COSASE Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi, who presented the report, deep-seated internal squabbles and governance deadlocks have brought the UHRC’s operations to a standstill. The committee found that severe divisions and a pervasive atmosphere of mistrust between the commissioners and senior management have critically eroded public confidence in the institution.
This internal discord has not only hampered the UHRC’s ability to perform its statutory duties but has also contributed to a substantial accumulation of pending human rights cases. The report suggests that these leadership issues have created an environment where the commission can no longer effectively champion and protect human rights as mandated by law.
The COSASE committee’s findings point to systemic failures within the UHRC’s leadership structure, necessitating decisive action to restore functionality and public trust. The recommendation for retirement in public interest aims to address the root causes of the paralysis and pave the way for a more effective leadership team.