UHRC Seeks More Time Before Appearing to Parliament's Rights Committee

The Uganda Human Rights Commission has asked Parliament's Human Rights Committee to postpone its scheduled appearance, saying commissioners require more time to prepare before appearing together as directed by the committee.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has asked Parliament's Human Rights Committee to postpone its scheduled appearance before the committee, citing the need for additional time to adequately prepare.

In a letter dated July 29, 2026, UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya requested that the meeting, which had been scheduled for July 30, 2026, be rescheduled to a date after August 31.

The request followed Wangadya's appearance before the committee on July 29, during which members directed that she return with the full Commission.

"I refer to my appearance before the Human Rights Committee of Parliament on 29th July 2026 and your guidance to appear with the Members of the Commission on Thursday 30th July 2026 at 10:00am," Wangadya wrote.

"This is to request for more time to enable us to adequately prepare, preferably after 31st August, 2026."

The letter was signed from the Commission's offices at JLOS Towers in Naguru, Kampala.

The Human Rights Committee, one of Parliament's accountability committees, is responsible for examining matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and scrutinising the work of institutions mandated to safeguard constitutional rights.

The Commission's request comes as Parliament steps up oversight of human rights institutions amid public concern over issues including alleged torture, enforced disappearances, detention practices and access to justice.

Established under Article 51 of the 1995 Constitution, the Uganda Human Rights Commission is mandated to monitor, investigate and report on the observance of human rights, visit places of detention, investigate complaints of human rights violations and advise government on human rights matters.

The Commission also appears periodically before Parliament to account for its operations, performance and use of public resources.

The Human Rights Committee is expected to consider the Commission's request and communicate a new date for the appearance of Wangadya and the other commissioners.