Staff Reporter
The Uganda Human Rights Tribunal has commenced hearings for 13 complaints at the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s Kabale Regional Office in Kabale District.
Out of these complaints, 12 are directed against the Attorney General, while one is against the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This session marks the first time the tribunal is being held at the Kabale Regional Office, which serves the districts of Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rukungiri.
The tribunal is presided over by Ms. Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, along with Commissioners Hon. Crispin Kaheru, Hon. Lamex Omara Apita, and Hon. Rtd. Col. Steven Mwesige Basaliza. Ida Nakiganda, Director of Complaints, Investigations, and Legal Services at the Uganda Human Rights Commission, indicated that four of these cases had been partially heard at the Mbarara Regional Office.
“All these cases were transferred from our Mbarara Regional Office to Kabale when it became operational in 2021. The Commission is expected to deliver a decision on one of the four cases. The Tribunal will hear the defense from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in one case, while the other two cases will continue with further hearings. The remaining nine complaints will receive their first hearing before the tribunal,” she stated.
Nakiganda added that, aside from the complaint against UWA, the other nine complaints involve the government, with the Attorney General as the defendant.
“After Kabale, the Tribunal will return to Mbarara to address complaints from August 19th to 21st, 2024. A total of 16 complaints are scheduled, with only one complaint against Katerera Sub-county Council not involving the government (Attorney General). The Mbarara Regional Office is currently headed by Ms. Carolyne Gomushabe,” she added.
Twembi Topista, Chairperson of the Kabale Regional Office, noted that holding tribunal sessions in Kigezi will enhance accessibility to services for local residents.
Albert Taremwa, Executive Director of the Local Sustainable Communities Organization, also welcomed the tribunal’s presence in the Kigezi region, highlighting that it will ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel to Mbarara for these services.
CUE IN TAREMWA…ON THE MATTER…RR/ENG//
For the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal to convene, it must include the Chairperson and at least three Commission members. Under Article 53(1) of the Constitution of Uganda, the UHRC possesses court-like powers to question individuals regarding matters under investigation and to demand the disclosure of relevant information. If the Commission finds that a human rights violation has occurred, it can mandate remedies, including compensation for affected individuals. These tribunal sittings are conducted to exercise these constitutional powers and ensure justice is achieved.
