KAMPALA — Former Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Secretary and Accounting Officer Margaret Lucy Ejang has told Parliament that key decisions at the Commission were allegedly controlled by a small group of officials, calling for a forensic audit into the handling of human rights complaints and cases.
Ejang made the allegations on Thursday while appearing before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi.
She requested to appear separately from current UHRC officials, saying she was still recovering from what she described as “humiliation, abuse, psychological and emotional torture” during her final months at the Commission.
Ejang served at UHRC for 24 years before leaving office in April 2026. She told the committee that the second half of the 2024/2025 financial year was particularly difficult, citing disagreements over salary enhancements for commissioners, pressure to approve expenditures she considered irregular and the delegation of some of her administrative responsibilities.
She alleged that several major decisions at the Commission were influenced by a small group of officials, naming UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, Commissioner Crispin Kaheru and Director of Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services Pauline Nansamba Mutumba.
The officials named in the allegations are expected to respond before the committee as the inquiry continues.
Ejang Defends Shs70.4 Million Furniture Expenditure
Ejang also defended the expenditure of Shs70.41 million on office furniture, which was questioned in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The audit reportedly found that the procurement had been reported as completed despite insufficient supporting documentation being available at the time of the audit.
Ejang acknowledged that she authorised the purchase without obtaining prior approval but maintained that the procurement process had been followed.
She told MPs that the furniture was delivered and entered into the UHRC stores and was required as the Commission prepared to relocate its offices and replace obsolete furniture.
COSASE summoned Ejang after current UHRC officials failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the expenditure during their earlier appearance before the committee.
Questions Over Handling Of Human Rights Cases
Beyond the financial concerns, Ejang raised questions about the management of complaints and human rights cases at the Commission.
She told MPs that Parliament had previously provided additional resources to strengthen case management and investigations but questioned how some complaints were subsequently handled.
Ejang called for a forensic audit of UHRC’s tribunal and case management processes to establish how complaints were admitted, investigated and eventually closed.
She further alleged that some staff had raised concerns about directives to close cases that they believed required further investigation.
The allegations prompted COSASE to widen its inquiry beyond the financial issues raised in the Auditor General’s report.
COSASE Orders More Officials To Appear
Following Ejang’s testimony, Nkunyingi directed Acting Director of Finance Denis Kakeeto, Commissioner Crispin Kaheru, Pauline Nansamba Mutumba and planner Charis Mukasa to appear before the committee and respond to the allegations.
The committee also directed its Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) team to record a formal statement from Ejang and provide any necessary protection as investigations proceed.
COSASE is expected to resume hearings with the current UHRC leadership next week as Parliament continues examining the Commission’s financial management and other issues contained in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The committee’s findings could determine whether the allegations require further investigation or other action against officials implicated in the claims.
