Politics 21 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
MPs Demand Disbandment of Uganda Human Rights Commission Leadership Over Allegations
Members of Parliament have called for the dissolution of the current leadership of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) due to widespread allegations of misconduct, mismanagement, and internal disputes that have paralyzed its operations. The recommendation stems from reports by the Committees on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE). Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4676/mps-call-disbandment-leaders-uganda-human-rights-commission
Parliament has echoed calls for the immediate disbandment of the leadership at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). This strong recommendation arises from findings detailed in reports by the Committees on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, chaired by Hon. John Teira, highlighted a severe breakdown in relations between the UHRC Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, and three commissioners. Their report, presented on Tuesday, October 21, 2026, indicated a failure to conduct regular meetings and tribunal sessions, leading to the improper dismissal of numerous complaints. Specifically, the Chairperson allegedly terminated over 215 complaints unilaterally between January 2023 and March 2026, some of which had been pending for a decade. This practice, the committee stated, undermines natural justice and the commission’s judicial role.
Furthermore, the committee noted that the last tribunal session was held in November 2025, leaving many complainants without a resolution forum. The report recommends establishing functional human rights tribunals, reinstating unfairly dismissed complaints, and ensuring that decisions are made through these official channels. It also urges the Inspectorate of Government to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office, as raised in a petition by three commissioners in March 2026, and calls for a financial audit by the Auditor General.
During the parliamentary debate, an amendment proposed by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi to disband the current leadership and appoint a new team was adopted. Concerns were also raised about commissioners engaging in partisan politics, and other MPs criticized the focus on personal benefits over service delivery. While some suggested replacing individual commissioners, the consensus leaned towards a complete leadership overhaul to restore the commission’s effectiveness.