UHRC chairperson Wangadya cries in parliament
Wangadya was today appearing before the committee chaired by Bugabula North member of parliament John Teira to respond to submissions filed by UHRC commissioners; Simeo Nsubuga and Col (Rtd) Stephen Basaliza, who on Wednesday demanded that she apologise for branding them political rejects.
Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson Mariam Wangadya, appearing before the Legal committee at Parliament today (July 23). (Photos by Miriam Namutebi)
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Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson Mariam Wangadya was today morning (July 23) overcome by emotion and shed tears as she appeared before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament.
Wangadya was today appearing before the committee chaired by Bugabula North member of parliament John Teira to respond to submissions filed by UHRC commissioners; Simeo Nsubuga and Col (Rtd) Stephen Basaliza, who on Wednesday demanded that she apologises for branding them political rejects.
But as she read out her statement today, she was overcome by emotion and cried. UHRC commissioner Crispy Kaheru, who was seated next to her, was seen comforting Wangadya before she later composed herself and resumed her submission.
What Nsubuga, Basaliza said
Nsubuga and Basaliza, who are former lawmakers, on Wednesday rebuffed remarks that were recently made by Wangadya, suggesting that the body had been turned into a dumping ground for political failures.
Nsubuga, who represented Kassanda South in the 10th Parliament, argued that Wangadya’s remarks were directed at him and two other former MPs serving on the commission.
“On the 3rd of this month, it was a Friday, our chairperson addressed a press conference where she labelled, specifically, the three of us. Why am I saying so? Because out of the six, it is myself, Basaliza, and Jacklet (Rwabukurukuru), who are former members of parliament. She called us political rejects. People who should be thrown in the dust bin,” Nsubuga said.
Nsubuga further criticised Wangadya, who was absent; “To me, that was disrespecting and undermining the appointing authority, who is the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief (President Museveni). She even went an extra mile to say that some of us were on ARVs (antiretroviral drugs). Members, can you imagine where someone heading a human rights body in a country, who is supposed to ensure that people access drugs and you tell fellow commissioners that they are on ARVs! To me, I think that was beyond.”
He added; “Let me set the record clear; I am not a political reject. I am well conversant with this subject of human rights. I have a masters degree in human rights. I am a research fellow of Makerere University on human rights. For five years, I was in this parliament, I was a member of a standing committee on human rights. We used to look at these human rights annual reports.”
On his part, Basaliza (former Burahya County MP) said he was not a fluke on the commission as some people might want to portray him.
"A man who they say is a non-performer has a Bachelor of Laws, Post-graduate at LDC (Law Development Centre) and a masters. I left parliament in 2006, twenty years down the road, I didn’t even compete. So, I am not in politics. I also add my voice that when she (Wangadya) comes tomorrow, she should apologise,” Basaliza stated.
On Wangadya’s allegations that some commissioners had HIV, Basaliza said the claims had greatly disturbed his family.
