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Human Rights Commission Chair Blames Silence on Lack of Funding

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Human Rights Commission Chair Blames Silence on Lack of Funding
There is no money to talk, says Wangadya

Ms Wangadya explained that the lack of sufficient funding has hampered the Commission's ability to carry out its duties effectively, leaving them to rely on social media to voice concerns instead of holding formal press briefings.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, has responded to critics accusing the Commission of neglecting its duty to address human rights violations.

Ms Wangadya explained that the lack of sufficient funding has hampered the Commission's ability to carry out its duties effectively, leaving them to rely on social media to voice concerns instead of holding formal press briefings.

“We have been talking about human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and demonstration. And because we don’t have resources, we use the capabilities we have available," Wangadya told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee during a session where she presented the Commission’s Budget Framework Paper for 2025/26.

Wangadya’s remarks came in response to concerns raised by MPs regarding the Commission’s silence in the face of alleged human rights abuses, including the military trials of civilians.

The Commission’s failure to hold more public engagements or press briefings was noted as a point of contention.

"I have been writing. On the trial of civilians in the court martial, I have been using the cheapest methods we could find. I went on my X (formerly Twitter) and condemned the trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye in the general court martial, maybe you didn’t see this,” Wangadya clarified.

However, her explanation was challenged by Asuman Basalirwa, the MP for Bugiri Municipality, who questioned why the UHRC could not hold press briefings.

“I invite press briefings at my party every week. It’s simply about inviting the media. They will come, and you will engage. I don’t think this is a valid excuse for not speaking out,” Basalirwa remarked.

In addition to these concerns, Wangadya informed the committee that funding for human rights hearings had been suspended following the enactment of the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.

She said donors to the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) had reversed their decision, and she hoped that the JLOS Secretariat would resume funding, allowing the human rights hearings to continue.

“We want victims of human rights violations to get justice. Soon, we will have the first sessions of the year, starting in Kampala, followed by Lira and Soroti," Wangadya said.

"These sessions are funded by the Justice, Law and Order Sector Secretariat. Once they don’t release money, we can’t convene them."

The Commission’s challenges come at a time of rising concerns about the military trial of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his associate Hajj Lutale.

In November, both were reportedly abducted in Kenya and charged with treason in a military court in Uganda.

The trial has sparked criticism, with many arguing that holding such trials in a military tribunal undermines democratic rights and represents a shift towards the militarization of Uganda’s legal and political systems.

Dr. Besigye and Lutale were reportedly abducted from Nairobi, where they had attended a book launch, and transferred to Uganda without proper international extradition procedures.

Their legal defense contends that the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) lacks the authority to try alleged crimes committed outside Uganda’s borders.

This week, Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, Chairman of the General Court Martial, insisted that the charges fall under Ugandan law and that the court had the jurisdiction to proceed with the case.

“Jurisdiction is a creature of statute and gives this court powers to try this matter,” Mugabe said, dismissing objections from the defense.

The ongoing military trial of Dr Besigye and other civilians has ignited calls for intervention from human rights organisations, including the UHRC, which is facing increasing pressure to act on behalf of those who feel their rights are being violated in the name of national security.

As the debate continues, questions about the role of the UHRC in defending human rights in Uganda are intensifying.

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