UGANDA'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: WHEN REPORTING AN ABUSE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

If a citizen reports a human rights violation to a government institution, how long should they have to wait for justice?

This question came into focus on 16 October 2026, when Uganda's Parliament reported concerns about delays in investigating human rights complaints and concluding cases before the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).

The concerns emerged during Parliament's review of the Auditor General's report on the Commission's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. The parliamentary committee examining the report found gaps between the Commission's planned activities and the results achieved. Parliament of Uganda

The figures deserve attention.

During the 2024/2025 financial year, the Commission received Shs28.95 billion, up from Shs18.34 billion in the previous year. Yet, according to the committee's report:

• 296 detention facilities remained uninspected against the Commission's target.

• 19% of registered cases remained uninvestigated.

• The Commission concluded 50 complaints through its tribunal against a target of 250.

• Only 49 cases were mediated against a target of 400. Parliament of Uganda

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These figures do not mean that every unresolved complaint represents a proven human rights violation. Investigations require evidence, and cases can differ considerably in complexity. Nor do the figures alone explain every delay.

The committee identified several contributing challenges, including inadequate funding for some activities, delayed recruitment and weaknesses in resource allocation. It also raised concerns about financial management, procurement and internal conflicts affecting the Commission's operations. Parliament of Uganda.

Nevertheless, the findings raise an important public accountability question: what is the value of a system that receives complaints but struggles to resolve them promptly?

For an ordinary Ugandan, a human rights complaint may concern unlawful detention, mistreatment, discrimination or another alleged violation. Waiting for a case to progress can mean uncertainty, financial costs and prolonged distress for the person affected and their family.

This is why the effectiveness of a human rights institution should be measured by more than its budget, staffing or number of complaints received. Citizens also need to know how quickly cases are assessed, how many are resolved, what remedies are available and whether the institution's recommendations lead to meaningful action.

The Commission must also have sufficient resources, qualified personnel and effective internal systems to fulfil its mandate. Increased funding is important, but it should be accompanied by transparent reporting on how resources are used and what results they produce.

Parliament's scrutiny provides an opportunity to examine these questions. The next step is to establish which shortcomings can be corrected through better management, which require additional resources and which need changes to existing procedures or laws.

Human rights protection is not complete simply because a complaint has been received. The process must also give people a fair opportunity to have their concerns investigated and addressed.

What should Uganda do to ensure that citizens who report human rights violations receive timely investigations, fair hearings and meaningful remedies?