By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
KAMPALA, UGANDA: Monday, the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Hon. Mariam Wangadya convened a crucial meeting with Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba. The high-level meeting, held at the UHRC headquarters in Kampala, focused on harmonizing strategies for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the lead-up to Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
During the discussions, Hon. Wangadya highlighted the critical role of collaboration, emphasizing that it serves as the cornerstone of credible elections. She stressed that only a united front among these pivotal institutions can ensure the creation of an electoral environment that fully respects and upholds human rights.
Justice Byabakama warmly welcomed the cause, characterizing it as both timely and strategically important. He noted that when constitutional bodies and state institutions work together, placing human rights at the forefront of their operations, public trust is significantly enhanced.
Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba reaffirmed the Uganda Police Force’s unwavering resolve to safeguard the rights of all Ugandans throughout the electoral process. He further stressed the crucial interconnectedness of security and human rights, asserting their inseparability for a peaceful and fair election.
In the pivotal meeting, the three heads of these vital institutions reached a consensus to project a unified message to the public. They committed to jointly foster peace, tolerance, and mutual respect among all citizens, with a shared objective: to ensure that every Ugandan can exercise their right to vote freely and safely in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
