Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has weighed in on the emotional appearance of Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson Mariam Wangadya before Parliament, delivering a sharp critique of her leadership and past conduct.
Wangadya broke down in tears on Thursday, July 23, while appearing before a parliamentary committee probing governance and accountability concerns at the commission.
The moment has since sparked widespread reaction across legal and political circles.
In a statement, Ssemakadde said Wangadya’s situation reflected the consequences of serving a flawed system for years.
“The system she served for 20 years just swallowed her whole,” he stated, suggesting her emotional breakdown was not unexpected.
The ULS president accused Wangadya of previously dismissing serious human rights concerns, including the alleged abduction of Eddie Mutwe, which he said she had termed “social media rumors.”
According to Ssemakadde, her current predicament mirrors the experiences of victims she once failed to defend.
He further criticised her leadership style, alleging that she had made divisive remarks against fellow commissioners and presided over institutional decline at UHRC.
“She called fellow commissioners ‘political rejects’ and made inappropriate insinuations, while hundreds of cases gathered dust,” he added.
Ssemakadde maintained that while he does not celebrate Wangadya’s emotional distress, he finds it difficult to sympathise given her record.
“I don’t celebrate tears. But I won’t pretend I’m surprised,” he said, arguing that public officials must be accountable for their actions while in office.
His remarks come at a time when scrutiny of the UHRC has intensified, with Parliament examining allegations of mismanagement, internal wrangles, and delayed justice for complainants.