The Parliamentary Appointments Committee has vetted the former Deputy inspector General of Government (IGG) Mariam Wangadya as chairperson of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHC).
Last month, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed Wangadya to Head Uganda Human Rights Commission. Her appointment follows the sudden death of Medi Kagwa who collapsed in his car near Mulago roundabout in 2019.
Chaired by the Deputy Speaker Anitah Among, was vetted first followed by the four Board Members including; the former minister of Ethics and Integrity Fr. Simon Lokodo, the former chairman of Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) Crispin Kaheru, former Kawempe division Councillor Shifra Lukwago and Atuheire Jacklet.
The new leadership is expected to expedite the over 100 petitions filed since the death of Medi Kagwa.
Speaking after vetting, Wangadya appealed to Parliament to help the commission to ensure that awards made by previous human rights tribunals are paid. “Normally when court awards in redress by way of damages, the procedure is that we enforce their judgement,” she said
Crispin Kaheru said: “My first point of call will be to explore ways through which the Commission can be positively felt in line with its human rights mandate.”
