The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is a statutory body established under Article 51 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. This Article is operationalised by Uganda Human Rights Commission Act (1997), specifically Section 4 which establishes the position of the Chairperson of the Commission whose roles among others include; providing direction to the affairs and administration of the Commission.  In addition, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is mandated to oversee the observance, respect and promotion of Human Rights. 

WHEREAS and in accordance with Article 51 (2) the responsibility to appoint the Chairperson of the Commission vests with the President of Uganda;

WE note with concern that it is now one year since this position fell vacant following the demise of the Late Hon. Meddie S. Kaggwa, then the Chairperson. Accordingly, the UHRC has since operated with no SUBSTANTIVE Chairperson which creates a lacuna in the institutional mandate. WE further contend that a fully constituted Commission is critical especially as we approach the elective period where its anticipated that abuses and violations of rights are likely to be occasioned by players which then that will require to have in place a fully constituted body to monitor, prevent and protect human rights on behalf of the State.

Against this background, We the human rights-based organizations and individuals APPEAL and call upon His Excellency, the President of Uganda to immediately appoint a SUBSTANTIVE Chairperson for the Commission. We also call on the Parliament of Uganda to exercise its oversight role of the Executive on matters of Executive’s statutory duties. It is our belief that a fully constituted Commission will play a critical role to monitor and deter Human rights abuses and violations hence fulfilling the duty to protect rights under Article 52 of 1995 the Constitution