Uganda stops U.N. human rights office mandate

The government has said it will not renew the mandate of the United Nations human rights office, citing the development of its own sufficient capacity to monitor rights compliance. #Humanrights

In a letter by Foreign Affairs Ministry sent to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Feb. 3 on Wednesday, the ministry noted progress Uganda had made in developing a domestic capacity to monitor rights as the main reason for its decision.

“The ministry wishes to convey the government’s decision not to renew the mandate of the OHCHR Country office in Uganda beyond the current term,” said the letter

OHCHR Uganda country office spokesperson Bernard Amwine had no comment.

Activists critical of President Museveni’s government condemned that action by his government.

The OHCHR Uganda office was established in 2006 and was initially allowed to focus only on human rights issues in conflict-plagued areas in Uganda’s north and northeast, according to the Uganda government. It was later allowed to cover the rest of the country.

In the letter, the ministry said the government had since gained enough commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and that there was “peace throughout the country, coupled with strong national human rights institutions and a vibrant civil society.”

Uganda’s next election is in 2026 and Museveni is widely expected to seek another term, although he has not indicated if he will stand.