By Guest Writer
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), under its Directorate of Monitoring and Inspections, has convened a two-day consultative meeting to shape its forthcoming 29th Annual Report on the State of Human Rights and Freedoms in Uganda for 2026.
Officially opened by Hon. Shifrah Lukwago on behalf of the Chairperson, Hon. Mariam Wangadya, she described the consultative process as “deliberate and indispensable.”
“The strength of any National Human Rights Institution lies not only in its independent findings but in the honesty of the voices that shape those findings,” Hon. Lukwago noted.
“This consultative meeting offers us the opportunity to examine issues of human rights with honesty. We must ask difficult questions. Where has the State made measurable progress? Where have responses been inadequate or delayed? How can recommendations from previous reports be more effectively implemented? What emerging issues demand urgent attention? And how do we ensure that human rights are not treated as abstract principles but as lived realities in every home, school, health facility, workplace, police station, prison and government office?” she added.
The meeting brings together key stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Governance and Security Programme Secretariat; as well as Civil Society Organizations including Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HAP), Uganda Medical Association, Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) and Green Advocacy Network, among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Kamadi, listed the key thematic areas selected for this year’s report. These include juvenile justice, the right to health, rights of older persons, the plight and human rights of security guards, air quality in Uganda, digital rights, and food safety.
Speaking at the opening, the Chairperson of the Editorial Board and Member of the Commission, Hon. Crispin Kaheru, emphasized that a credible national report cannot be written in isolation.
“The Commission alone cannot write a representative report. We need perspectives from government, Civil Society Organizations, academia and experts on the issues we have selected to write about,” Hon. Kaheru said.
He noted that the report addresses three key issues; the progress in human rights promotion and protection, the gaps, and what should be done about those gaps. He challenged drafters to have the courage to identify gaps, be evidence-based in reporting, and reflect the lived experiences of Ugandans as opposed to textbook examples.
In his presentation on the state of juvenile justice in Uganda, Senior State Attorney at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Counsel Brian Musota, said that Uganda has clear legal instruments and laws that should help the realization of juvenile justice. “However, the challenge is effective implementation,” he said.
The outgoing Secretary General of Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI), Dr. Llano Kwi, while making a submission on the human rights conditions of medical interns in Uganda highlighted a number of challenges including delayed deployment, long working hours with some interns working for more than 36 hours without rest, and inadequate allowances, among others. He appealed to the Commission to engage concerned stakeholders to address these concerns.
The different meeting sessions are being chaired by Members of the Commission; Hon. Richard Rwabukurukuru, Hon. Simeo Nsubuga, and Hon. Lamex Apitta.
Also in attendance are UHRC Directors; Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa, Ms. Norah Mutumba, Mr. Dennis Kakeeto, and Ms. Rose Mary Kemigisha and selected staff of the Commission.
The 29th Annual Report is expected to provide an independent assessment of Uganda’s human rights landscape in 2026, with actionable recommendations for government and other duty bearers. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
