The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, has opened up about the growing pressures and personal risks she faces while leading the country’s top human rights watchdog, revealing that threats, criticism, and hostility have at times made her fearful of speaking out against abuses perpetrated by security forces.
Addressing journalists during a joint press briefing at the UHRC headquarters ahead of this year’s International Human Rights Day commemorations, Wangadya delivered an unusually candid reflection on the emotional burden of her role.
Describing herself as “the most unpopular chairperson ever,” Wangadya said relentless public distrust, politically charged criticism, and direct intimidation have gradually eroded her confidence, particularly when handling cases involving powerful security actors.
Her concerns are not without precedent. In May this year, the Commission’s independence came under the spotlight when the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly warned her over a directive she issued to release a civilian, NUP activist Edward Rogers Ssebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, from military custody.
Muhoozi had, at the time, acknowledged that Ssebuufu was being held in a basement facility, allegedly undergoing lessons in Lunyankole.
Wangadya’s frank admission highlights the emotional strain of steering an institution whose impartiality is frequently questioned, especially during politically sensitive periods. It also underscores the complexity of conducting oversight in a climate where accountability demands often collide with entrenched state interests.
Despite these challenges, Wangadya reaffirmed that the Commission continues to stand firm on its constitutional mandate. She emphasized that the UHRC remains committed to investigating complaints and holding all actors, state or otherwise, accountable for human rights violations.
However, her revelation of facing “a campaign of threats and physical intimidation from unknown sources” adds a new dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the Commission. It raises concerns about the safety of human rights defenders and the extent to which external pressures may influence institutional effectiveness.
As Uganda marks International Human Rights Day, Wangadya called for renewed support for the Commission’s work and a collective national commitment to protecting fundamental freedoms. Her message serves as both a warning and an appeal, a reminder that defending human rights often comes with personal sacrifice, and that safeguarding oversight bodies is essential to upholding justice and democracy.
