The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, has withdrawn her decision to resign from her position after President Yoweri Museveni rejected her resignation.
Wangadya made the revelation on Tuesday while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
She confirmed that she had written a letter to President Museveni informing him of her resignation, but the President refused to accept it.
«“Mr. Chairperson of the Committee, it is true that I wrote a letter to His Excellency the President resigning from my position, but my resignation was not accepted.”»
Wangadya said the Attorney General had also informed Parliament that her resignation had never been accepted and that she therefore remained the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
«“The Attorney General addressed Parliament and clearly explained that my resignation had not been accepted and that I remain the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. That is the situation.”»
When asked whether she had been informed that her resignation was rejected through the Attorney General’s statement or whether President Museveni himself had told her, Wangadya said that Museveni had called her by phone and ordered her to return to work.
«“The response I received from the appointing authority came through a phone call; it was not in writing. Sometimes His Excellency the President uses the telephone to deliver messages. I was instructed that if I had left work, I had to immediately return, and I complied with those instructions.”»
Wangadya had written her resignation letter in July 2026, accusing some members of the Commission of opposing her. Among those she named was Simeo Nsubuga, a former Member of Parliament, following disagreements between the two that began after Nsubuga was appointed as a member of the Commission.
Another member of the Commission, Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru, has also publicly criticized Wangadya, saying that she was not fit to lead the Commission.
The disagreements intensified after Wangadya accused Atuhaire and Nsubuga of misusing government resources, particularly vehicles, for political activities involving political bias.
On the other hand, Nsubuga accused Wangadya of lacking the qualifications and capacity required to serve as a member of the Commission. Wangadya, in turn, accused him of failing to make a meaningful contribution to improving the Commission’s operations and instead choosing to engage in unnecessary conflicts.
