By Ben Musanje
The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Hon. Mariam Wangadya, has challenged government and other stakeholders to ensure that Uganda’s tenfold economic growth strategy prioritizes people’s welfare, human dignity, and equal opportunities, warning that economic progress means little if ordinary citizens continue to face injustice, exclusion, and deprivation.
Speaking at the Makerere University Human Rights Expo 2026, held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Hon. Wangadya emphasised that the country’s economic transformation must deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Ugandans, particularly young people, who expect better employment opportunities, affordable education, and meaningful participation in decisions shaping their future.
Delivering her keynote address under the theme “Human Rights in Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy: The Gen Z,” Wangadya acknowledged progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and access to electricity but cautioned that development remains incomplete when citizens continue to experience unemployment, exclusion, and barriers to justice.
“Economic growth tells us how much a country produces. Human rights tell us how its people live. We must pursue both,” she said.
The Chairperson raised concerns over delayed justice, prolonged detention, violence against women and children, corruption, and unequal access to public services, calling for stronger accountability and deliberate efforts to ensure that constitutional rights are respected and protected in everyday life.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to addressing human rights violations and holding duty-bearers accountable, stressing that government institutions must remain open to scrutiny and responsive to the concerns of the people they serve.
“A right written in the Constitution but denied in everyday life is a promise awaiting fulfilment,” Wangadya said, urging all stakeholders to promote accountability and respect for human rights.
On the role of young people, she highlighted the growing expectations of the Gen Z generation, including access to decent employment, affordable education, opportunities to participate in decision-making, and institutions willing to listen to their concerns. She called for greater youth involvement in shaping policies that affect their future while reminding young people to exercise their freedoms responsibly.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer, Head of the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation, noted that societies that respect human rights create an environment conducive to investment. She observed that development without respect for human rights is unstable, adding that economic, social, and cultural rights often present more complex implementation challenges than civil and political rights.
Dr. Robert Kakuru, a lecturer in Makerere University’s Department of Philosophy, said the Expo provides a platform for students to reflect on human rights issues while allowing partners to showcase their efforts in promoting and protecting fundamental freedoms.
The Head of Department, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, explained that the Expo, which began in 2015, seeks to deepen students’ understanding of human rights, encourage young people to engage in human rights work, and expose them to experiences from other countries.
During the event, Wangadya, Dr. Kerschbaumer, and the Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, Ms. Barbra Babweteera, together with leaders from the Philosophy Department, toured exhibition stalls where students showcased innovations aimed at promoting and protecting human rights.
The Expo attracted university lecturers, civil society organizations, development partners, secondary school students, and Makerere University students pursuing Ethics and Human Rights.
The discussions underscored the need to place human dignity, equal opportunities, and public welfare at the centre of Uganda’s economic transformation, with young people actively involved in building a future in which economic growth translates into justice, inclusion, and improved living standards for all. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
