Updated by Eric Kikomeko at 1549 EAT on Tuesday 9 December 2025

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, has acknowledged that fear has at times restrained her from openly condemning abuses by security forces against civilians.

Calling herself “the most unpopular chairperson ever,” Wangadya said constant public criticism, hostility, and personal threats have gradually undermined her confidence, affecting the forcefulness of her statements during politically sensitive periods.

She spoke at a joint press briefing at UHRC headquarters ahead of this year’s International Human Rights Day observances. The national theme is “Strengthening Democratic Space, Upholding Freedom of Expression, Speech, Association, Media and Security of Person During Elections for All.”

The commemoration will culminate on December 10 with a multi-stakeholder national dialogue. The event will bring together political parties, government agencies, security organs, civil society organizations, and development partners to explore strategies for promoting peace and stability during and after the upcoming general elections.

Responding to concerns that the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) often avoids holding security agencies accountable for abuses, chairperson Mariam Wangadya acknowledged that her critics “may be partly right.”

“We condemn acts of violence against police,” she said. “But we don’t go deep enough the way we do when condemning acts of violence against civilians. I must confess that this is out of fear.”

Her caution may not be unfounded. In May, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly warned Wangadya after she ordered the release of a civilian being held in a military facility. The detained individual, NUP activist Edward Rogers Ssebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, was reportedly confined in a basement and “taught how to speak Lunyankole,” Muhoozi claimed.

Wangadya said such incidents, along with sustained public criticism, have taken an emotional and professional toll. “Every cartoon about me is very negative. I am always drawn dressed in yellow, sitting on a heap of torture files and doing nothing. Over time, this works on you,” she said. She also recalled instances when groups — one claiming to be torture survivors and another made up of widows of missing NUP supporters — stormed her office demanding her resignation.

“They surrounded my office and demanded that I vacate,” UHRC chairperson Mariam Wangadya told The Observer. “With time, it works on you. You fear to go deep enough.”

Although she maintained that the Commission consistently condemns violence against security officers — including cases in Agago and Dokolo where policemen were lynched — Wangadya admitted that public backlash often makes it harder for her to speak boldly.

“Sometimes the chairperson feels intimidated,” she said quietly. “Because the tongue-lashing I suffer is a lot. Even my son has asked me, ‘Mom, why don’t you quit this position?’”

The Commission also addressed rising expectations regarding election-related arrests and alleged abuses. Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, UHRC’s director of complaints and investigations, clarified that the Commission cannot investigate cases already before the courts.

“Many cases seen in the media, like the recent Mbarara arrests of a NUP candidate, are handled by courts within 48 hours. Once someone is charged, our mandate stops,” she said.

However, Nansamba Mutumba emphasized that UHRC continues to monitor such cases to ensure that suspects’ rights are respected, including access to lawyers, medical care, and timely court appearances.

She said the Commission is closely following cases such as the recent death of Meshash Okello in Iganga district, although no formal complaint has yet been lodged. Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, executive director of the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), added that the organisation has not received any torture complaints during the current election period.

“We have not received any complaints so far, but should they arise, we stand ready to rehabilitate the victims,” he said.

Credit to the Observer.

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here

Email: editorial@hicginewsagency.com TalkBusiness@hicginewsagency.com WhatsApp +256713137566

Follow us on all social media, type “HICGI News Agency” .