As the country enters into a heated political season, the Chairperson Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Adv. Mariam Wangadya has called for early and regular interfaces between security agencies and the Commission to review emerging issues, discuss any concerns and also find solutions together.
“Let’s hold regular engagements to review emerging issues, address concerns and find solutions together. Realtime engagement will help prevent problems before they occur. Let’s not put our electoral processes into question through high-handedness” she told a high-level heads of security agencies’ meeting at UHRC headquarters on Tuesday.
Wangadya informed the security chiefs that instead of waiting for issues to escalate, it’s important to engage early and resolve them through dialogue.
“Our aim is simple: to have a safe and secure space where we openly discuss emerging human rights concerns, share solutions and of course strengthen coordination between security agencies and the UHRC. By working together, we can prevent tensions before they escalate” she told the meeting.
Hereunder, is her opening remarks during that important meeting with security Chiefs!
OPENING REMARKS VERBATIM
Distinguished leaders of our nation’s security agencies, may I request that we stand up, and observe a moment of silence in remembrance of our friend, Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka, former Director General of ISO who passed on January 29, 2025. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
I am pleased to welcome you to this important dialogue. Today, we gather not only as leaders, but as partners in ensuring peace, security and the protection of human rights in our country.
The road to the 2026 general elections seems to have already begun. As you know full well, this period will bring heightened political activity, increased public gatherings and higher expectations from citizens.
Our role is to ensure that this process unfolds in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and most importantly respect for human rights. The work you do as security agencies is critical to our nation.
You are the guardians of stability, law and order. You stand at the frontline to ensure that citizens can exercise their rights safely. Your responsibility is enormous and your service to Uganda is deeply valued.
UHRC has an equally important role. Our mandate is to promote and protect human rights for all. This includes ensuring that both the public and security agencies operate within the law.
We are not here to criticise but to support, guide and work alongside you.
This is why our meetings are important.
This one is particularly special because it comes at a critical period; when an active political season is unfolding.
Our aim is simple: to have a safe and secure space where we openly discuss emerging human rights concerns, share solutions and of course strengthen coordination between security agencies and the UHRC. By working together, we can prevent tensions before they escalate.
Uganda’s history teaches us many lessons. Past elections have come with challenges. We have seen moments of high tension. We have witnessed situations where miscommunication or misunderstanding has led to unfortunate incidents. But we have also seen that when security agencies, electoral authorities and human rights bodies work together, tensions reduce, public confidence increases and Uganda moves forward peacefully.
Our people expect a peaceful process. They want to exercise their rights freely — whether it is the right to vote, the right to assemble or the right to express their views.
At the same time, they expect security agencies to protect them and their property. Striking this balance requires co-ordination, professionalism and respect for the law.
As security leaders, you make key decisions. How you handle public gatherings, how you respond to political activities and how you engage with different groups all influence public trust. When citizens see and trust security agencies, they feel safe. When they feel safe, they actively participate in their country’s public processes. I must applaud you; you always play a vital role in keeping Uganda stable.
As we enter a busy election period, this role becomes even more important. Our forces must act with professionalism for the purpose of ensuring peace and the security of people and their property.
As UHRC, we are here to support you. We are committed to working with all security agencies to ensure that human rights principles are upheld. We believe that security and human rights go hand in hand.
We also believe that prevention is better than cure and that positive engagement is more helpful in creating the environment we desire to see during the electoral process.
This time round, we have involved the Director of Public Prosecutions because many of the incidents that happen end up before her for prosecution.
Our hope is that addressing all these aspects around the same table will help us be better prepared and to mitigate any possible human rights concerns including allegations of torture, unlawful detentions and in some extremely unfortunate instances-deaths.
To strengthen this partnership, we propose holding a meeting every two months or as and when there may be an emergency — time and resources allowing.
These will be opportunities to review emerging issues, discuss any concerns and find solutions together. We believe that, this kind of real-time engagement will help us prevent problems before they arise.
Second, we should continue to encourage open communication at all levels. Our teams should not only meet in boardrooms but also collaborate in the field. This means regular engagements between police officers, army personnel, prisons officers, the prosecutors and human rights officers at district and regional levels.
Third, we emphasize the importance of training. Our security and prosecution personnel do an excellent job, but they too need continuous training. By providing refresher training on human rights principles, de-escalation techniques and legal frameworks, we can equip officers with the skills they need to handle situations professionally.
We note that with the increasing use of technology, security forces and the State generally come under more scrutiny, especially at a highly emotive time as elections. I request you to urge your staff to remain highly vigilant and aware that the world is watching and we as an NHRI are also watching.
Let us not put our electoral processes into question through high handedness. Expectations are high and provocation may be there. However, I know that our forces are highly trained and able to respond appropriately in cases of incitement in the communities.
Instead of waiting for issues to escalate, let us engage early and resolve them through dialogue. When law enforcement agencies and human rights institutions work hand in hand, we create an environment where the rule of law prevails.
This co-ordination is not just good for human rights — it is good for national security. As the commission, we will continue to monitor and report on human rights developments. But more importantly, we will offer guidance and work with law enforcers to address concerns in a constructive manner.
This dialogue is about solutions, not pointing fingers. We appreciate the dedication of our security officers who work day and night to protect our nation. Our role is to support them with clear human rights standards that make their work easier.
We have a few concerns to share for your information and action and I will now invite one of my colleagues to highlight a few of them for our general discussion. I look forward to our continued engagement.
THE WRITER IS THE CHAIRPERSON UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
