National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi, has today, withdrawn a complaint he filed with Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) but also stormed out of a tribunal session, citing incompetence, lack of impartiality on the side of commissioners and concerns over his personal safety.
The Central region human rights tribunal session chaired by the UHRC Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, had convened in Kampala today (20th May 2024) to hear complaints relating to human rights violations filed by opposition politicians; Robert Kyagulanyi and former FDC president Kiiza Besigye. The panel composed of commissioners including Hon. Rwabukurukuru, Hon. Col. Steven Basaliza and Omara Apita sat to hear from the complaints.
In his statement to UHRC, Kyagulanyi protested the delayed response from the commission questioning how a complaint he filed five years ago in December 2018 when security blocked his music concerts, was being heard for the first time now. In his complaints, Kyagulanyi contends that by doing so, his rights and those of other people who earn from his concerts were infringed on, simply because of his political affiliation.
He also contends that the actions of UHRC contradicts Article 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which provides for a speedy hearing of complaints as well as impartiality in the decisions of the tribunal.
“This commission which is empowered by the constitution to protect constitutional rights is the one violating those rights. How can complaint regarding human rights take five years to be heard?..” Kyagulanyi queried.
He also noted that very since he filed the complaint, many more Ugandans have continued to be victims of human rights violations and similar complaints have reached the UHRC desk without given due consideration. He accused the UHRC Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, for unfairly dismissing some of the claims.
“Because of these circumstances, our confidence in this commission is gravely shaken. The commission which was put in place to protect rights and freedoms has turned into an accomplice in the gross violations. The commission lacks the competence, the independence and the impartiality required of it to resolve this complaint” he stated.
“Because of that, I hereby withdraw the complaint we filed over five years ago. In my view, this commission has serious reflections to make and decide whether it intends to serve Ugandans or serve the interests of General Museveni and his military regime” Kyagulanyi’s statement adds before he asked to leave.
“I am not even sure of my safety here, seeing that you yourself recently said some commissioners posses and come to meetings with guns” Kyagulanyi quipped.
While appearing before a committee of parliament last year, UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya stated concerns about her safety, and alleged that some of his commissioners are untouchable to the extent that they come to meetings with guns.
In a press statement issued after the session, the UHRC noted that Kyagulanyi’s complaint did not proceed due to his unavailability. The chairperson indicated that Kyagulanyi attempted to present a personal statement instead of his complaint leading to his dismissal from the tribunal session.
The UHRC Chairperson however acknowledges Kyagulanyi’s frustration over delays in the process but said it was not the making of the commission partly accusing Kyagulanyi for failing to appear when the session was first scheduled last year.
“Whereas we acknowledge his frustration, the delay was not the making of this commission. Hon Kyagulanyi proceeded to exercise his right to withdraw his complaint” Mariam Wangadya stated.