The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, has been ordered to appear before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Friday, July 24, 2026, over alleged governance lapses and accountability concerns within the commission.
The directive followed Wangadya’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to appear before the committee during its review of the commission’s Auditor General’s report.
During plenary, lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as a serious breakdown in the commission’s leadership after officials admitted that the UHRC had not held a formal commission meeting since March 2026, despite legal provisions requiring regular meetings to oversee the institution’s operations.
Committee Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi questioned the Acting Secretary and Accounting Officer, Kamadi Byonabye, over the commission’s governance structure and management of public funds. He noted that although Byonabye assumed office following the retirement of former Accounting Officer Margaret Lucy Ejang, he remained constitutionally responsible for accounting for public resources.
Byonabye told the committee that he had informed Wangadya about Parliament’s invitation but that she considered the Auditor General’s report to involve technical issues.
Nkunyingi warned that Parliament would invoke its legal powers, including issuing a summons or warrant, should Wangadya fail to appear before the committee.
“We are giving her and the commission a second chance. The matters before us are very, very concerning,” he stated.
Commissioner Simeo Nsubuga confirmed that the commissioners last met in March and acknowledged that no subsequent commission meetings had been convened, despite the requirement for monthly meetings.
He explained that the commission meeting serves as the institution’s highest decision-making body but admitted that he had not formally requested the chairperson or fellow commissioners to convene another session.
The disclosure raised further concerns among committee members. Martin Muzaale, Member of Parliament for Buzaaya County, questioned how the commission had continued carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, including submitting reports to Parliament, without convening its governing body.
Similarly, Elgon North County MP Gerald Nangoli argued that the prolonged absence of meetings suggested the commission was no longer functioning effectively, raising doubts about its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate.
The committee also learnt that the commission’s tribunal system has ground to a halt because the Uganda Human Rights Act requires only the chairperson to preside over tribunal proceedings.
Commissioner Shifrah Lukwago explained that complaints requiring tribunal hearings have remained pending in the absence of the chairperson.
Also appearing before the committee, the Director of Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services, Pauline Nansamba, disclosed that the commission last conducted tribunal hearings in December 2025 after exhausting the budget allocated for the exercise.
The developments come weeks after Wangadya submitted her resignation to President Yoweri Museveni on July 6, 2026.
However, Uganda’s Attorney General has advised that the resignation will only take effect after it is formally accepted by the appointing authority, meaning Wangadya remains the substantive Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission pending official approval.
