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KAMPALA - The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has raised concern about the increase of hate speech in Uganda, citing the Central Region as the epicentre of hate speech in Uganda.

 “Uganda has witnessed an alarming increase in the proliferation and impact of hate speech directly at individual level and among groups. Recent advances in information technology, online communication, and mass media have massively changed the pace and reach of its spread.

The Commission noted that Central region being the most populous region and home to the Capital City witnesses a significant amount of political and social discourse, therefore has more prevalence of hate speech," UHRC chairperson Mariam Wangadya said.

She echoed the concern on May 23, 2024, while handing over the 2023 report on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.

UHRC however commended Ugandans for participating in the “Kampala pothole exhibition” led by Dr. SpireJim Ssentongo in April 2023 on Twitter (X), saying the photos of potholes shared in different parts of the city, depicted the deteriorating state of roads in Kampala Metropolitan area, with some rural places in Uganda having better roads than the city.

The Commission’s findings are contained in the 26th Annual Report on the State of Human Rights and Freedoms in Uganda in 2023.

The Commission revealed that there was a stark contract between roads in the city and some rural areas in Uganda.

Wangadya also raised concern about the plight of children born out of war in Northern Uganda noting, “The Commission monitored the plight of these children in Northern Uganda, focusing on the Lord’s Resistance Army war in Gulu, Lira, and Arua with over 5000 children born out of this situation.

"We noted that they face numerous challenges including stigma and discrimination from within families and communities. Lack of legal identity, rendering it difficult to prove their nationality, and lack of access to land since land in the Northern region is communally owned," she said.

Speaker Among urged the UHRC to carry out their mandate with professionalism and be receptive to public criticism since the Institution is meant to act as the bridge between Government and the Opposition, saying such a move will ensure sanity in Uganda.

“You know you are the bridge between Government and the Opposition, and you must make sure that you act professionally for you to gain the public trust. And since you are the bridge, I want you to accept public scrutiny. People will always criticize and accept them in good faith and see whether what you are doing is correct or not correct, please allow that for the good of our nation. It is good for us to get feedback on what we are doing.

Like us in Parliament here, they will talk everything they want to talk about, but it is good feedback for us, it shows us in one way or another whether we are doing the good thing, or we aren’t doing the correct thing. That will bring sanity to the country," Among said.