The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal has commenced the hearing of cases of alleged human rights violations at its Jinja Regional Office.
The session is being presided over by the Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, together with Commissioners Shifrah Lukwago, Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru, and Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga, who joined the proceedings via Zoom.
The tribunal, which began its sittings this morning, is hearing a total of nine cases involving allegations of violations of fundamental human rights. These include the right to life, the right to personal liberty, and the right to freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.
According to the Commission, the sittings aim to ensure that victims of alleged human rights abuses receive timely redress and that justice is accessible to all citizens, in line with the UHRC’s constitutional mandate under Article 52 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
Speaking during the opening of the session, Mariam Wangadya reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights across the country.
“The commission remains steadfast in ensuring that every Ugandan’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Through these Tribunal sittings, we seek to provide justice for victims and promote accountability for human rights violations,” she said.
The regional hearings are part of the commission’s broader strategy to decentralize access to justice, bringing the Tribunal closer to communities outside Kampala.
The Jinja session follows similar sittings previously conducted in other regions, underscoring UHRC’s commitment to handling complaints efficiently and transparently.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission continues to encourage individuals who believe their rights have been violated to report their cases through the Commission’s regional offices for redress.