Eye Media Reporter | July 4, 2026

KAMPALA – Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Hajji Faruk Kirunda has advised Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson, Mariam Wangadya to seek an audience with President Yoweri Museveni through official channels instead of taking her grievances to the public.

Kirunda’s remarks followed Wangadya’s widely circulated comments in which she criticised the President over appointments to the Uganda Human Rights Commission and launched a blistering attack on some of her fellow commissioners.

“I have received numerous calls from journalists about comments made by the Chairperson of UHRC, my big sister whom I respect so much, Madam Mariam Wangadya, directed to H.E. Kaguta Museveni on controversies within the commission,” Kirunda posted on X.

He added:

“My advice is that the UHRC Chairperson should use the same channels she used to access the President when she was appointed to the position to reach him now and present her issues.”

Kirunda’s statement is the first public response from State House following Wangadya’s explosive remarks, which have sparked widespread debate on social media and within political circles.

During a press conference, Wangadya openly criticised President Museveni’s appointments to the commission, accusing him of appointing individuals she described as “political failures,” “bankrupt” people and “beggars” who have allegedly undermined the commission’s work.

In one of her strongest appeals, Wangadya addressed the President directly.

“Mr President, please stop appointing to this commission people who are failures, beggars who only trade rumours from one office to another in search for favours. Please respect this commission and appoint members who have the required qualifications,” she said.

She also accused some of her fellow commissioners of incompetence and alleged that internal wrangles had distracted the commission from its constitutional mandate of promoting and protecting human rights.

The comments, captured on video and widely shared online, have exposed deep divisions within the constitutional body amid reports of an ongoing leadership dispute involving commissioners.

Neither President Museveni nor the Uganda Human Rights Commission had issued an official statement on Wangadya’s allegations by the time of publication.

The unfolding dispute continues to draw public attention as questions mount over the state of affairs at the commission.

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