The Commission, under the Directorate of Monitoring and Inspections, is conducting a consultative meeting for the forthcoming 29th annual report on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda in 2026.

The two-day consultative meeting will gather perspectives on selected thematic areas from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOJCA), the Governance and Security Programme Secretariat, the Ministry of Health, Help Age Advocacy Network Uganda (HANU), Uganda Medical Association, Federation for Uganda Medical Interns, Africa Green Health Network, among others.

In his welcome remarks, the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Kamadi Byonabye, listed the key thematic areas including juvenile justice, the right to health, rights of older persons, plight and human rights of security guards, air quality in Uganda, digital rights, and food safety, among others, to be discussed in this meeting.

The Chairperson of the Editorial Board and Member of the Commission, Hon. Crispin Kaheru, noted that the Commission alone cannot write a representative report. 
“We need perspectives from government, Civil Society Organisations, academia and experts on the issues we have selected to write about.” 
He noted that the report addresses three key issues: the progress in human rights promotion and protection, the gaps, and what should be done about those gaps.

He called upon the drafters to have the courage to identify gaps, be evidence-based in reporting, and reflect the lived experiences of Ugandans as opposed to text book examples.  

While delivering official opening remarks on behalf of the Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya, Member of the Commission, Hon. Shifrah Lukwago noted that; 
“This consultative process is deliberate and indispensable. The strength of any National Human Rights Institution lies not only in its independent findings but in the honesty of the voices that shape those findings.”

“This consultative meeting offers us the opportunity to examine issues of human rights with honesty. We must ask difficult questions. Where has the State made measurable progress? Where have responses been inadequate or delayed? How can recommendations from previous reports be more effectively implemented? What emerging issues demand urgent attention? And how do we ensure that human rights are not treated as abstract principles but as lived realities in every home, school, health facility, work place, police station, prison and government office?” she added.

In his presentation on the state of juvenile justice in Uganda in 2026, Senior State Attorney at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Counsel Brian Musota said that Uganda has clear legal instruments and laws that should help the realisation of juvenile justice. “However, the challenge is effective implementation,” he said.

The outgoing Secretary General of Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI), Dr. Allan Okwir, while making a submission on the human rights conditions of medical interns in Uganda highlighted a number of challenges including delayed deployment; long working hours with interns some working for more than 36 hours without rest; inadequate allowances; among others. He appealed to the Commission to engage concerned stakeholders to address these concerns.

The different meeting sessions are being chaired by Members of the Commission; Hon. Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru, Hon. Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga, and Hon. Lamex Omara Apitta.

Also in attendance are UHRC Directors; Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa, Ms. Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, Mr. Dennis Kakeeto, and Ms. Rosemary Kemigisha and selected staff of the Commission.