The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has directed the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, to appear before the committee on Friday, 24 July 2026, after she failed to attend a meeting examining the Commission’s Auditor General’s report.
The directive followed revelations of what committee members described as a leadership breakdown at the Commission. Officials told the committee that the UHRC had not held a formal commission meeting since March 2026, despite the requirement for regular meetings to oversee the institution’s work.
The meeting, chaired by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, also heard that the Commission’s tribunal system had stalled, with the last tribunal sessions held in December 2025 after the budget allocated for hearings was exhausted.
Committee members further raised concerns over delays in handling human rights complaints and questioned how the Commission had continued executing its constitutional mandate without regular meetings of its top decision-making body.
Wangadya submitted a resignation notice to President Yoweri Museveni on 6 July 2026. However, the Attorney General has advised that her resignation will only take effect upon formal acceptance by the appointing authority, meaning she remains the substantive Chairperson of the UHRC.
The committee warned that failure to attend the Friday meeting could lead to lawful measures, including summons or warrants, to compel her appearance.
