COSASE recommends overhaul of UHRC leadership over fractured governance, unresolved case backlog

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Wangadya listens intently while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on August 11, 2026. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA

Parliament has recommended the retirement, in public interest, of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) leadership following deep-seated internal squabbles and governance deadlocks that have paralyzed the institution’s operations.

While presenting a parliamentary committee report on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, October 15, Mr. Muwada Nkunyingi, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), revealed that severe divisions and mistrust between commissioners and senior management have critically eroded public confidence and crippled the commission's statutory duties.

Mr. Nkunyingi explained to lawmakers that sweeping administrative changes are needed immediately to restore effective service delivery and save the human rights body from total collapse.