Mariam Wangadya has stepped down as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), more than a year before the end of her term.
In a resignation letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to President Yoweri Museveni, Wangadya thanked the President for the opportunity to serve Uganda in advancing and protecting human rights. She did not explain the reasons for her resignation or indicate when it would take effect.
Her departure comes shortly after she publicly expressed concern over appointments to the Commission, arguing that political considerations were weakening the institution. Wangadya criticized the appointment of former MP Simeo Nsubuga, saying the Commission should be staffed by individuals with the competence and credibility required to carry out its constitutional mandate.
Her comments drew mixed reactions, with some government officials maintaining that such concerns should have been communicated through official channels rather than in public.
Wangadya was appointed to lead the UHRC in 2019, and her term was expected to end in September 2027. The government had not announced her successor at the time of her resignation.
