A section of Uganda’s opposition has welcomed the resignation of Mariam Wangadya as chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, with activists accusing her tenure of undermining victims of alleged state abuses.
National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Ssekabira Patrick said Wangadya’s departure was long overdue, arguing that the Commission had failed in its constitutional mandate to protect citizens.
“I’m one of the many Ugandans happy that Mariam Wangadya has resigned,” Ssekabira said, adding that her leadership had distanced the Commission from the realities faced by victims of human rights violations.
His remarks come just days after Wangadya sparked controversy by publicly stating that there were no abductions in Uganda, a claim that drew sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures.
Ssekabira referenced a recent incident involving a former Lord Mayor, who he alleges was abducted and tortured before images of his condition surfaced online.
According to the activist, such cases contradict official narratives and raise questions about the credibility of state institutions tasked with oversight.
“A Human Rights Commission should defend victims, not deny their experiences,” he said.
Wangadya resigned earlier this month in a letter addressed to President Yoweri Museveni, following months of internal disputes within the Commission and mounting external pressure over her leadership style and public statements.
Her exit has triggered renewed debate about the independence and effectiveness of the UHRC, a constitutional body mandated to investigate abuses and hold state actors accountable.