The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Hon. Mariam Wangadya, on Friday personally engaged members of the public in human rights education during the ongoing Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) exhibition at Lugogo.
Hon. Wangadya spent the better part of the morning at the UHRC stall, responding to questions from visitors, receiving feedback and distributing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, as well as the Commission’s annual and special reports.
The annual exhibition, organised by the Uganda Manufacturers Association, started on October 2, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, October 11.
The engagement provided an opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns and seek clarification on various human rights issues. Some visitors asked how they could promote human rights in their schools, institutions and communities, while others raised concerns about the rights of the boy child, the right to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
Questions were also raised about the ongoing anti-corruption operations involving the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balam Barugahara. In response, the UHRC Chairperson noted that while the Minister was well-intentioned, the rights and freedoms of suspects must be respected throughout the process.
“I have seen for myself the enthusiasm of the general public. They have questions; I have given them answers and, at the same time, we have received feedback from them on how they view our performance,” Hon. Wangadya said.
She encouraged members of the public to continue reporting human rights concerns to the Commission. Visitors were also given UHRC stickers and keyholders bearing the Commission’s toll-free contact numbers to facilitate reporting and access to its services.
The Chairperson also shared the Commission’s Independence Day message, calling on Ugandans to support UHRC in fulfilling its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
