news 22 July 2026 Nile Post
COSASE Halts Uganda Human Rights Commission Hearing Amidst Leadership Crisis
Parliamentary committee COSASE has suspended its review of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) due to the absence of its chairperson, Mariam Wangadya. The lack of leadership has reportedly paralyzed the commission and stalled hundreds of human rights cases. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/358394/cosase-suspends-human-rights-commission-hearing-over-leadership-vacuum
The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) halted proceedings with the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) on Wednesday. The decision came after UHRC commissioners appeared before the committee without Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, revealing a significant leadership vacuum.
During the session, intended to address audit queries from the Auditor General’s 2024 report, the commissioners were unable to provide clarification on Wangadya’s absence or confirm any delegation of authority. Several commissioners stated they were present in their individual capacities, not as official representatives of the commission’s leadership.
This situation has raised serious concerns about the UHRC’s operational effectiveness. One commissioner admitted that management meetings have not been convened since March 2026. Further compounding the issue, the commission’s Human Rights Tribunal has been inactive since December 2025, citing funding and procedural challenges. The tribunal’s rules mandate the chairperson’s presence, making it impossible for hearings to proceed without her.
The suspension of tribunal sittings has led to a backlog of 255 human rights cases, some pending for over two years, with the oldest dating back to 2009. Adding to the uncertainty are reports of Chairperson Wangadya submitting a resignation letter on July 6, 2026, though official confirmation has not been received by the UHRC’s accounting officer.
COSASE Chairperson Muwada Nkunyinji has summoned the entire UHRC leadership, including Wangadya, to appear on Friday. He emphasized Parliament’s commitment to ensuring accountability, stating that no institution would be allowed to evade scrutiny. The committee intends to utilize all available legal avenues to compel appearances and responses from public entities.