Concerns Arise Over Government Plan to Rationalize Human Rights Agencies in Uganda

Human Rights Defenders in Uganda have expressed strong criticism against the government’s plan to rationalize over 30 government agencies, including key human rights institutions, as part of an effort to cut operational costs by approximately Shs1 trillion.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus recently passed a unanimous resolution endorsing the rationalization, pending the amendment of relevant bills by Parliament. This resolution is part of a broader strategy that includes proposals such as merging the Equal Opportunities Commission with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, as discussed during sessions of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Robert Kirenga, chairperson of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda, voiced concerns in an interview with KFM about the potential impacts on the autonomy and credibility of these institutions. He particularly noted fears that the Human Rights Commission might suffer internationally as it could struggle to maintain the principles of autonomy and independence post-merger.

Adding to the apprehension, Dr. Livingston Sewanyana, Executive Director of the Foundation of Human Rights Initiative, argued that merging these two institutions could precipitate a human rights crisis by undermining their independence.

The process hit a snag yesterday when the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee paused its consideration of the rationalization bills. This decision came after members of Parliament found that the certificates of financial implication provided by the Ministry of Finance did not adequately detail the financial impacts of abolishing or merging specific agencies.

The developments have sparked a debate about the balance between cost-cutting and the protection of fundamental human rights in Uganda, highlighting concerns about the potential weakening of institutional checks and balances in human rights governance.