Uganda Human Rights Commission
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 Uganda portal |
| UHRC | |
| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1 July 1995 |
| Headquarters | 4929 Buganda Road Kampala, Uganda |
| Agency executive | |
| Website | Homepage |
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) serves to monitor and advance human rights in Uganda. The UHRC is a body established under the 1995 Constitution Article 51 under the Bill of Rights found in Chapter four of the Constitution. It is based on the Paris Principles which are the guidelines for the establishment of a national human rights institution. Its mandate is spelled out in Article 52 of the Constitution.[2]
Location
[edit]The national headquarters of UHRC are located at 4929 Buganda Road, on Nakasero Hill, in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[3]
Composition
[edit]The Commission is composed of a Chairperson, and not less than three other persons, appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. As of 2009, there were seven commissioners. The Chairperson at that time was the late Meddie Kaggwa (1955–2019). Members of the Commission have to be persons of high moral character and proven integrity, although Commissioner Jacklet Atuhaire has been accused of attempted murder[4] and chairlady Wangadya reported that some commissioners carry guns[5]. They serve for a period of six years and are eligible for re-appointment.[6]
Commission chairperson
[edit]The current Chairperson Mariam Wangadya was appointed on Wednesday 29th September 2021, and replaced the late Meddie Ssozi Kaggwa who died in 2019.
International status
[edit]The UHRC used to be accredited with "A status" by the GANHRI, giving it enhanced access to the United Nations human rights system. It is also a member of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions. However, the GANHRI has defered re-accreditation of the UHRC citing lack of attention for systemic torture and human rights violations in Uganda.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Ephraim Kasozi (20 November 2019). "UHRC Boss Med Kaggwa Is Dead". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ Government of Uganda (November 2019). "Uganda Human Rights Commission: A Public Agency, Also Called UHRC". Kampala: Ask Your Government Uganda. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ "Location of the Headquarters of Uganda Human Rights Commission" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ Aine, Kim (12 April 2023). "Inside Story: How ISO Spy, Olwedo, was Shot at Ex MP Jacklet Atuhaire's House". ChimpReports. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Some of my commissioners carry guns - UHRC boss". Monitor. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ UHRC (14 September 2009). "Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC): About Us". Kampala: Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 10 May 2010) on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Session reports and recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation". OHCHR. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
External links
[edit]- Uganda Human Rights Commission Webpage
- National Human Rights Institutions Forum (NHRIs Global network) at the Library of Congress Web Archives (archived 15 September 2002)
- The role of the Uganda Human Rights Commission in promoting civic education: A case study of Mbarara and Moroto Districts Thesis for the partial fulfilment of requirements for Master of Laws degree at Makerere University. Author: Okwong, Dorothy. Date:November 2012.
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