The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), a body created to protect and advance human rights, is creaking under the weight of a humongous backlog of cases. A shocking 2024 report by the Auditor General reveals that certain cases have been pending for over ten years, with serious consequences in terms of the Commission’s ability to provide justice.

Established to rectify human rights abuses and foster accountability, the UHRC has the mandate under Article 52(1) of the Uganda Constitution to inquire into allegations of rights violations. The Commission is now overwhelmed by numbers, and delays in investigations as well as proceedings before the tribunal have become the norm and not the exception.

In the 2023/2024 financial year, the UHRC received 917 complaints but only 531, or approximately 60%, were handled. While this could seem like an improvement, a closer look is that there is a troubling pattern of consistent delays. There are complaints that have been in the process of investigation for as long as ten years now, holding victims at bay and undermining public trust in the effectiveness of the Commission.

The Auditor General’s report notes that out of 681 case files reviewed, 90 cases—13.2%—had lain untouched for over five years. Such a backlog is a stark testament to the inability of the UHRC to manage its workload, robbing many victims of the justice that is rightfully theirs.

The scene is no different at the UHRC tribunal, where backlogs are worse. Of 1,325 cases filed in the same fiscal year, only 171—13%—were resolved. Cases take four years on average to progress from the initial hearing to a final ruling. More disturbing is that 97% of outstanding cases are at least six years old. These delays not only deny victims timely justice but also risk creating a culture of impunity, where human rights violators feel they can act without consequences. The report highlights some of the systemic issues that are causing the backlog. Staff, finances, and overly bureaucratic processes are some of the key issues crippling the work of the Commission. Without adequate staff to handle the higher number of cases and without resources to fund its operations, the UHRC cannot efficiently discharge its mandate.

The Auditor General has called for immediate reforms to correct these issues. Minimizing case management, institutional capacity, and the mobilization of further fiscal resources are essential steps in dismounting the backlog and restoring public faith in the Commission. Failing this, the UHRC risks losing its mandate of guarding human rights and dispensing justice.

The UHRC delays have far-reaching consequences. For victims of human rights violations, justice delayed is justice denied. All of them have waited for years to have their cases heard only to be met with silence and inaction. This not only increases their suffering but also ruins their faith in the justice system.

The challenges of the UHRC also have broader implications for Uganda’s rule of law and democracy. A good and effective human rights commission is needed to bring abusers to book and ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. If the Commission fails, it has the dangerous implication that human rights violations are bound to go unaddressed.

Tackling the backlog is not just about clearing cases; it is about restoring hope and confidence in the justice system. Victims of human rights violations are owed prompt redress, and the UHRC ought to be able to provide it. This requires concerted effort from the government, civil society, and other stakeholders to enable support for the Commission and allow it to have what it requires to fulfill its mandate.

The Auditor General’s report is an eye-opener for Uganda. The UHRC backlog is an indication of underlying systemic problems that require immediate intervention. Without concrete action, the Commission threatens to render itself irrelevant, rendering victims without redress and human rights abusers without consequence.

The time to act is now. Streamlining processes, offering increased funding, and employing more personnel are the necessary steps to clearing the backlog and ensuring that the UHRC can deliver justice in a timely manner. The people of Uganda are entitled to a human rights commission that works for them, and it is our duty to make that happen.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and for the thousands of victims yet to see their cases adjudicated, time is running out. The UHRC must step up to the plate, and the government must provide the needed support to facilitate the protection of human rights and the administration of justice.