New Human Rights Commission in Uganda

Abstract

The Constitution of Uganda was adopted on 22 September, 1995, and full details of the document will appear in the next issue of the J.A.L. One of the most interesting institutions established is the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Composed of a Chairperson, who must be a judge of the High Court or qualified to hold that office, and not less than three other persons, the Commission will have wide-ranging investigative and promotional functions. However, it is the enforcement powers of the Commission that are unusual. Traditionally, national institutions (offices of the ombudsman and human rights commissions) have no enforcement powers and can only recommend corrective action. In recent years these powers have been enlarged. For example, in Ghana the Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has the power to bring proceedings in a competent court for a remedy “to secure the termination of the offending action or conduct” (article 218(d)(iii) Constitution of Ghana).