KAMPALA – The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has ordered the arrest of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Wangadya for failing to appear before it for a second time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The directive was issued on Monday as the Committee scrutinised the Auditor General’s report on UHRC’s financial management, with lawmakers insisting that the Commission’s top official must answer for the institution’s operations and expenditure.
COSASE Chairperson Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi expressed outrage that Wangadya had communicated through the Commission’s Accounting Officer that she would instead appear before another parliamentary committee, a move he described as insubordination and contempt of parliamentary proceedings.
“A witness cannot choose how to respond. You cannot choose which committee to appear before. Parliament is one,” Nkunyingi declared.
The Committee stressed that Wangadya’s personal attendance was mandatory due to audit queries requiring her direct response, and that she could not replace physical appearance with written submissions or select a different parliamentary forum at will.
Invoking Rule 218 of Parliament’s rules, COSASE Chairperson Nkunyingi ordered the CID to locate and arrest Wangadya, directing that she be produced before the Committee by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.
COSASE Committee members heard during earlier proceedings that UHRC has not held a formal Commission meeting since March 2025, despite legal requirements for monthly meetings as the institution’s top decision-making body.
Commissioners further revealed that the UHRC Tribunal, responsible for hearing human rights complaints, has not convened since December 2025 due to depleted hearing funds.
Under the Uganda Human Rights Act, only the Chairperson is authorized to preside over tribunal proceedings, leaving complainants without access to justice as Wangadya remains absent.
Wangadya submitted her resignation to President Museveni on July 6, 2025, citing a difficult work environment, but the Attorney General has clarified that her resignation only takes effect upon formal acceptance.
Consequently, she remains the substantive Chairperson and is legally obligated to account to Parliament, with committee members insisting she must answer for the institution under her leadership until the resignation is formally concluded.
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