The closure of the workplace in Kampala follows the current closure of sub-offices in Gulu and Moroto sub-offices.

In February, the Authorities determined to terminate the mandate of the Excessive Commissioner’s Workplace, OHCHR, in Uganda. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights defenders denounced the transfer and had referred to as for its reversal, based on media stories.

“I remorse that our workplace in Uganda needed to shut after 18 years, throughout which we have been capable of work carefully with civil society, folks from varied walks of life in Uganda, in addition to participating with State establishments for the promotion and safety of the human rights of all Ugandans,” Volker Türk mentioned in a information launch.

“On our half, the UN human rights workplace stays dedicated to engaged on human rights in Uganda, in step with my international mandate,” he added.

Progress, however challenges stay

Excessive Commissioner Türk recalled the engagement with the Authorities and companions, together with integration of the Sustainable Growth Objectives (SDGs) in nationwide planning, and the adoption of a nationwide motion plan on enterprise and human rights.

“A lot progress has been made within the nation over time, however critical human rights challenges stay within the path to full enjoyment of human rights for all,” he mentioned.

Specifically, Mr. Türk expressed concern in regards to the interval forward of the 2026 elections, given an more and more hostile setting wherein human rights defenders, civil society actors and journalists are working.

Earlier this yr, different UN human rights mechanisms, such because the Committee in opposition to Torture and the Human Rights Committee, additionally expressed considerations, together with over the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Could 2023 that criminalises consenting sexual relations between adults of the identical intercourse and supplies extreme sanctions, together with the demise penalty.

‘Power’ underfunding of nationwide rights physique

Mr. Türk referred to as on the Authorities to make sure the Uganda Human Rights Fee can perform successfully and independently, as the principle physique tasked with human rights oversight within the nation.

“[The Commission], our long-standing associate within the safety and promotion of human rights within the nation, is chronically under-funded and under-staffed, and stories of political interference in its mandate undermine its legitimacy, independence and impartiality,” he mentioned.

“I urge the Ugandan authorities to supply the Fee with sufficient human, technical and monetary assets in order that it might extra successfully execute its necessary mandate.”

Established in 2005

OHCHR’s Uganda workplace was established in July 2005 with places of work in Gulu, Kitgum, Kotido, Lira, Pader, Soroti, and the top workplace in Kampala.

Its preliminary mandate targeted on the human rights scenario within the conflict-affected areas of Northern and Northeastern Uganda. In 2009, the mandate was prolonged to cowl your complete nation and all human rights points.  

The OHCHR workplace in Uganda was among the many largest stand-alone UN human rights presences in Africa.