Mariam Wangadya
State House Deputy Press Secretary Faruk Kirunda has responded to the escalating controversy surrounding Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, urging her to resolve her concerns directly with President Yoweri Museveni instead of airing them publicly.
The response comes just days after Wangadya made unusually blunt remarks accusing the appointing authority of undermining the credibility of the commission through politically influenced appointments, sparking widespread debate across political and civil society spaces.
Addressing the matter, Kirunda revealed he had been contacted by several journalists seeking his position on the issue.
While maintaining a respectful tone toward Wangadya, he advised a more discreet approach in handling such sensitive concerns.
“I have received numerous calls from journalists about comments made by the Chairperson UHRC Uganda, my big sister whom I respect so much, Madam Mariam Wangadya,” Kirunda said.
“My advice is that the UHRC Chairperson should use the same channels she used to access the President when she was appointed to the position to reach him now and present her issues.”
His remarks signal a clear preference for internal dialogue over public criticism, subtly pushing back against Wangadya’s decision to take her concerns to the public.
The statement also reflects an attempt by State House to manage the situation without escalating tensions further.
Wangadya’s earlier comments had raised serious questions about the independence and effectiveness of the UHRC, with her claims pointing to deeper institutional challenges within a body constitutionally mandated to protect human rights.
Kirunda’s intervention now introduces a competing narrative—one that frames the issue as a matter of protocol and communication rather than public accountability.