The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has raised alarm over significant funding shortfalls that could hamper its ability to monitor the upcoming 2026 general elections, despite a modest increase in its overall budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
In its Ministerial Policy Statement, the Commission warned, "The upcoming elections present a significant challenge, and without adequate resources, we fear our ability to protect and promote human rights will be severely compromised."
The UHRC is requesting Shs4.8 billion in additional funds to carry out vital election-related functions such as early warning and response, civic education, human rights monitoring, and handling of election-related complaints.
According to the budget documents, the breakdown of this funding is as follows:
- Shs500 million for establishing an early warning and early response institutional framework
- Shs2 billion for civic education and promotion of national values tied to the 2026 elections
- Shs1.5 billion for monitoring the human rights situation throughout the electoral process
- Shs800 million for receiving and investigating election-related complaints
Although the government has allocated UHRC Shs32.973 billion for the fiscal year 2025/26—an increase from Shs30.78 billion the previous year—analysts say the increment falls short of what is required, especially as non-wage recurrent expenditure is set to drop from Shs17.176 billion to Shs15.185 billion.
This reduction may hinder day-to-day operations and essential service delivery.
The Commission also noted that their request for salary enhancements was only partially granted.
Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee recommended that an additional Shs24.053 billion be added to the UHRC's non-wage recurrent budget to support nationwide civic and values education programs in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
"The Committee recommends an additional Shs24.053 billion... to undertake countrywide civic and values education and sensitization on protection and promotion of human rights as the country prepares for general elections in 2026," reads a statement from UHRC documents submitted to Parliament.
Critics have expressed concern that the government is prioritizing development expenditures—such as vehicle procurement—over essential democratic safeguards like civic education and human rights monitoring.
This, they argue, reflects a worrying neglect of operational priorities ahead of what could be a high-stakes electoral period.
With the 2026 elections drawing closer and political tensions expected to rise, human rights defenders are urging the government to urgently reconsider its funding priorities and ensure the UHRC has the resources it needs to play its constitutional role in safeguarding rights and freedoms during the electoral process.