Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Fauzat Wangadya has told Parliament that President Yoweri Museveni rejected her resignation and directed her to return to office.
Wangadya appeared before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday, August 11, a day after the committee ordered Parliament’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to arrest and produce her before the committee by 9:00 a.m.Read on Jamiiforums Ug
The order followed her failure to appear before COSASE to respond to accountability concerns raised in the Auditor General’s report on the Commission. Wangadya had communicated through the Accounting Officer that she would instead appear before another parliamentary committee, a move COSASE Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi described as insubordination and contempt of the committee.
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, Wangadya apologised for missing the earlier session and proceeded to explain her position on her resignation.
She told MPs that her resignation was rejected by President Museveni, who directly instructed her to return to her position as the substantive chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
Wangadya said she heeded the President’s directive willingly and is not serving under duress. She maintained that she remains fully committed to executing her duties at the Commission.
Her appearance comes amid growing scrutiny of the Commission’s governance and financial management following concerns raised in the Auditor General’s report for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Auditor General Raises Accountability Concerns
•COSASE is examining several issues at the Commission, including the failure to hold formal commission meetings since March 2026 and disruptions to the operations of the UHRC tribunal.
•MPs were also informed that tribunal hearings had stalled, with the last sessions reportedly held in December 2025 after funds allocated for hearings were exhausted. The committee has further raised concerns over delays in handling human rights complaints and the management of more than 200 files.
Wangadya’s Dispute With Commissioners
•Wangadya’s latest disclosure comes weeks after she publicly criticised the leadership of the Commission and announced her intention to resign, citing what she described as a toxic working environment and disagreements over the appointment and conduct of some commissioners.
•She accused some commissioners of lacking the competence and credibility required to lead the institution. The commissioners rejected her accusations and, in turn, accused Wangadya and Commissioner Crispin Kaheru of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
•Among the allegations are claims that UHRC assets, including vehicles, were personalised, travel funds were claimed for trips allegedly not undertaken or inflated, and Commission resources were used to acquire high-capacity generators for private residences.
The competing allegations and the Auditor General’s findings have now placed the Commission’s leadership, governance and management of public resources under increased parliamentary scrutiny.
Observer
