The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is in a financial crisis if government does not provide funding for the 2016/17 budget as donors are set to stop funding the commission. Appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present the proposals for 2016/2017 budget, the Secretary to the Commission, Gordon Mwesigye said that 30 percent of their budget is funded by donors but this is going to stop. He says that donor financing is important for running of tribunals and civic education for the Uganda Human rights commission but donors may stop funding by July 2017.Mwesigye urged the government to plan accordingly and provide for this funding so that these two core areas are not paralyzed. He also revealed that there is need for more presence around the country in order to have the Commission services availed to all the people both in urban and rural areas.
The Uganda Human Rights commission is seeking parliament to approve 13.7 billion shillings for the financial year 2016/17. UHRC investigates and resolves human rights complaints through its tribunal as well as, visits jails and prisons and other places of detention to assess the conditions of inmates. The Commission also monitors government’s compliance with international treaties and conventions on human rights.
