Human rights reports have been indicating that the security agencies in Uganda have been taking a centre stage in human rights violations in Uganda. But this evening President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Col. Stephen Basaliza, a soldier as one of the commissioners of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

The colonel would be assisted by Violet Akurut Adome. According to sources in statehouse, Akurut and Col. Basaliza are expected to boost the capacity of the Human Rights Commission in Kampala.

The commission has had no commissioners for the last two years. The new commissioners were sworn in on Friday by the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki. Basaliza has served in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces as Director of Human Rights from 2007 to 2010 and in the Ministry of Defence from 1997 to 2001. He also served as MP in Uganda parliament for Burahya constituency (2001 – 2006) while Akurut was a Coordinator with the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET).