The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has resumed its second round of countrywide Tribunal sessions aimed at hearing and resolving complaints of alleged human rights violations.
The latest sessions, which began this week in Fort Portal, are part of a renewed drive by the Commission to clear a backlog of cases that built up during a leadership vacuum. The hearings are being presided over by UHRC Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya.
According to the Commission, this phase will run throughout the month of June and into early July, with sittings scheduled in various regions across the country.
“We have so far lined up 23 matters for adjudication during this round. Five decisions have already been issued, and several rulings delivered,” Ms. Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, Director of Complaints, Investigation and Legal Services, said during a press briefing at the Fort Portal Regional Office on Wednesday.
The Tribunal will sit in the Tooro sub-region from June 2–6, before moving to the UHRC Jinja Regional Office from June 9–13 to handle cases in the Busoga region. Subsequent sessions will take place in Moroto (Karamoja) from June 16–20, Hoima (Bunyoro) from June 23–27, and finally in Arua for the West Nile region during the first week of July.
This marks the second phase of the 2025 Tribunal schedule, following an earlier round held between January and March that saw sessions conducted in Kampala, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, and Mbarara. During that phase, the Commission awarded over Shs300 million to victims of proven rights violations.
However, officials emphasized that not all complaints resulted in awards. “Some complainants were unable to prove their cases, which is an important part of our adjudication process,” Ms. Nansamba noted.
The UHRC operates under Articles 52 and 53 of the 1995 Constitution, with a mandate to receive, investigate and determine human rights complaints, and provide remedies where violations are proven.
The current outreach forms part of a broader strategy by the Commission to extend access to justice and reinforce accountability across all regions of Uganda.
