By Lazarus Apunyo
Inadequate funding and logistical challenges have hindered delivery of justice to the victims of military human rights abuses in the Karamoja sub-region.
This is according to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya.
Wangadya who was in Moroto with the commissioners to handle human rights cases said that there’s need for more funding to help the commission address cases of human rights abuses across the country.
Moroto regional office, which handles nine districts of Karamoja is currently handling 166 complaints, a majority of which are against the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in connection with disarmament operations.
Some of the cases dating back to 2006, are centered on grave allegations such as torture and extrajudicial killings, find their quest for accountability stalled.
Paul Piramoe, the Principal Human Rights Officer for the Moroto office, says the office has several challenges hindering the commission’s work in the area.
Some of the challenges he highlighted include recurrent insecurity in the region which often makes it impossible to conduct hearings or complete investigations, further delaying the resolution of cases.
Meanwhile, Wangadya said that with a growing backlog of cases, severe budget shortfalls, and the withdrawal of key development partner funding, the Commission is grappling with a crisis that threatens its ability to deliver justice to victims of human rights abuses.
She explained that the funding shortfall is exacerbated by the government’s sporadic support for tribunal sessions.
According to the Auditor General, tribunal hearings are funded by the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) rather than the Government of Uganda directly.
Wangadya noted that this dependency on an external funding stream has led to delays in hearing cases, as funds are often insufficient to support regular tribunal sittings.
“The challenges facing the Uganda Human Rights Commission are not insurmountable, but they require urgent and comprehensive reform”, she said.
Wangadya lamented that without adequate resources and strategic interventions, such as the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and a more equitable distribution of cases across regional offices, the UHRC will continue to struggle in fulfilling its mandate.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission was established as a National Human Rights Institution (NHR) under Article 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, as amended, and the Uganda Human Rights Commission Act of 1997.
Its mandate is to protect and promote human rights throughout the country, making it a cornerstone of human rights advocacy and protection in Uganda.
In light of the UHRC’s plea for increased funding, it is evident that there is a pressing need for policymakers to prioritize and adequately support this crucial institution.
For Advertisement and News call or send SMS to 0787551001 or WhatsApp +256-787-289-992/+256-775-907-140 or email: eetoilnewsdesk@gmail.com/vokradio22@gmail.com
