The termination of the UN’s human rights office in Uganda poses significant risks for upcoming elections. This move has led to increased human rights violations, including attacks on civil society and journalists. The UN’s absence creates a troubling environment, making it essential to reinstate its role in promoting and protecting human rights in Uganda.
As the UN celebrated the anniversary of its charter, Uganda’s government made the troubling decision to terminate the mandate of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) after 18 years. This move raises concerns about the looming 2026 elections amid a troubling backdrop of hostility directed at activists, civil society, and journalists. The OHCHR’s essential work—promoting human rights globally and preventing abuses—must be reinstated in Uganda, where human rights abuses are escalating.
The situation in Uganda illustrates the stark decline in human rights observers at a time when their role is crucial. The Uganda Human Rights Commission struggles under political corruption and limited resources to provide the oversight that the OHCHR once offered. The closure of the UN office has resulted in unaddressed human rights violations, such as abductions and torture, and has left citizens vulnerable without the protection and advocacy that the UN previously provided.
To truly honor the principles of human rights, the UN must act decisively and renew its commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Engaging in negotiations with the Ugandan government to restore the OHCHR’s presence is imperative before the 2026 elections. The international community’s silence on Uganda’s human rights abuses is unacceptable, and strong action is needed to ensure justice and accountability moving forward.
Original Source: mg.co.za
