UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL BEGINS HEARING CASES IN ARUA

By Dramadri Federick and Erema George
Arua city

The Uganda Human Rights Commission’s Tribunal court has officially commenced hearing a total of 11 cases that were reported to the commission concerning alleged human rights violations.

The tribunal’s first-day sittings took place at the Arua regional office, where four cases were initially handled. Out of these, three cases were dismissed due to insufficient evidence against the Attorney General.

Pauline Nansamba Mtumba, the Director of Complaints, Investigations, and Legal Services at the Uganda Human Rights Commission, explained that the commission is prepared to continue with the hearings of the already filed cases until July 2nd, 2025.

She emphasized the commission’s commitment to addressing these issues despite the challenges faced along the way. “We had three cases dismissed, and many of these dismissals were based on technical issues,” Nansamba said. “The tribunal’s findings indicated that the cause of action was initially raised against the Attorney General because many of these cases involved state agencies, especially the police. However, from the evidence we presented, the tribunal concluded that the police were not directly responsible for the deaths of the individuals involved. These cases primarily concern violations of the right to life, and under Article 22 of the Constitution, such killings must be proven to be intentional in order to hold the police or any other agency accountable.”

Articles 52 and 53 of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution empower the Uganda Human Rights Commission to receive, investigate, and determine complaints related to human rights violations.

When violations are confirmed, the commission is mandated to provide appropriate remedies to victims. This legal framework underscores the importance of the ongoing tribunal proceedings as part of the country’s efforts to uphold human rights and ensure accountability.

Nansamba also highlighted that operational challenges, particularly inadequate funding, have contributed significantly to delays and dismissals in some cases. She noted that the lengthy duration of hearings often causes complainants to forget some of the details they initially provided, which hampers the progress of the cases.

“Unfortunately, many cases are brought up after a long period due to administrative and operational challenges,” Nansamba explained. “This sometimes results in complainants forgetting important information, and on our side, we may also struggle to provide sufficient follow-up or clarification due to limited resources.”

The current tribunal marks the second phase of the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s 2025 schedule, which aims to address human rights violations across the nation. Earlier this year, between January and March, the commission conducted an initial round of hearings, during which it awarded over Shs300 million to victims of confirmed rights violations. This initiative signifies the government’s ongoing commitment to justice and human rights accountability.

The tribunal’s proceedings are part of a broader effort to strengthen human rights protections in Uganda and ensure that victims receive justice. Despite logistical and financial hurdles, the commission remains dedicated to thoroughly investigating cases and holding violators accountable to promote a culture of respect for human rights throughout the country.