By Adv. Mariam Wangadya
Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen, I bring you warm greetings from Uganda – the Pearl of Africa!
First, I thank the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for gathering us here today.
With all of us here; and over 60 countries having conducted elections this year, democracy is having a busy season! Uganda isn’t far behind—we are gearing up for our own elections in 2026.
This meeting therefore comes at a critical time when Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is preparing to play its role in ensuring that Uganda’s upcoming election is inclusive, transparent, and, dare I say, memorable.
Since our founding by the 1995 Constitution, we’ve protected human rights for all Ugandans—and by “all,” I do mean all. Whether you are in the city, a village, or somewhere society tends to overlook, democracy is your right too. Whether you are a person who identifies differently from many others, democracy is still your right too!
Ahead of our elections for instance, the UHRC is scaling its civic education.
We are intentionally working hand-in-hand with the Electoral Commission to make sure every Ugandan – those abroad and those “inside” detention facilities, are able to vote, come 2026.
We recognize that democracy is for everyone, wherever they may be. We are also focusing on human dignity, no matter your identity or what others think of it.
The Commission I lead stands for everyone’s right to have a say without fear or favor. We strongly believe that every voice counts.
Ladies and gentlemen, elections in East Africa and around the world are not just about casting votes—they’re often lively performances.
And that’s why my Commission is working with civil society, political players and the media to convene dialogues before, during, and after the elections.
We are bringing communities together to ensure peaceful, meaningful conversations, so that political “drama” does not turn into actual conflict.
We are already monitoring every corner, now that Uganda’s electoral roadmap is out. If and when we find human rights issues, we report on them with transparency and accountability.
We have learned plenty from past elections. We know what has gone wrong and how to make it right.
Together with our Electoral Commission, we are rolling out civic education campaigns. We are making sure voters know their rights, loud and clear—especially if any “technical difficulties” try to keep them in the dark.
Distinguished participants, let’s face it: sometimes elections can be unpredictable, even chaotic. Most times the volatility, anxiety and tensions are as a result of lack of public trust in the system. And that is where we as NHRIs must step in.
NHRIs should not just be about monitoring—we should advocate, educate, and engage to make sure democracy stays on course.
We should also set up clear protocols to ensure that excessive force is not used by security agencies particularly during protests and tense situations.
We must also consider setting up secure and accessible reporting systems for electoral grievances to enable citizens to report issues without fear.
Uganda’s path to democracy has not been smooth, but it is one we are proud of. We have faced challenges and come through stronger.
We all appreciate that democracy needs nurturing, and commitment to keep it going. As I conclude, I want to leave you with a challenge.
As NHRIs, we cannot afford to be mere spectators in the theater of elections. Our role is pivotal, our influence is undeniable, and our responsibility to uphold rights during these high-stakes moments has never been clearer.
This important space should help us think deeper, push beyond monitoring; and dive deep into proactive, rights-based advocacy that anticipates issues before they become negative headlines.
Can we, as NHRIs, create systems that spotlight and address human rights abuses in real-time? Can we forge stronger ties with electoral bodies, civil society, local and international partners, and the media to ensure that human dignity is safeguarded at every stage? I wish to implore all of us here to take our mandate a notch higher.
Let us transform every election into an opportunity to prove that democracy thrives best when human rights are non-negotiable. The world is watching us—let us rise to the occasion! Thank you for listening to me!
I look forward to fruitful deliberations and instructive outcomes from this important workshop.
For God and my country!
The author is Chairperson, Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC)
