Bobi Wine has broken his silence on the resignation of Mariam Fauzat Wangadya as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), claiming that her departure shows how the government uses officials and abandons them when they are no longer politically useful.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president said Wangadya’s resignation should serve as a warning to public servants who sacrifice justice, human rights, and their personal reputation while serving in powerful government positions.
In a statement shared after Wangadya’s exit, Bobi Wine accused what he called Museveni’s regime of depending on individuals in public offices to implement political interests at the expense of ordinary Ugandans.
He argued that some officials trade their principles for power, protection, and privileges, only to later discover that the system they served does not remain loyal to them.
“For a long time, Museveni’s regime has relied on individuals occupying positions of public authority to execute its political agenda, at the cost of justice and the rights of fellow Ugandans,” Bobi Wine said.
The opposition leader claimed that Wangadya’s situation follows a pattern he says has happened to several other influential figures who were once closely associated with the government.
He mentioned individuals such as former security figures and political leaders whom he said were eventually abandoned after years of serving the government.
Bobi Wine said that although the exact reasons behind Wangadya’s resignation remain unclear, the development could provide her with an opportunity to reflect on her public image and legacy.
“Whatever the reasons behind her resignation, I think she has taken what could be her final opportunity to reclaim what is left of her dignity,” he said.
Wangadya’s leadership at the Uganda Human Rights Commission had attracted criticism from opposition politicians, lawyers, and human rights activists who accused the institution of failing to adequately respond to alleged rights violations.
Critics questioned the commission’s response to cases involving arrests, prolonged detention, and allegations of mistreatment of opposition supporters and political activists.
The controversy surrounding the commission increased during periods when opposition figures and their supporters faced arrests and legal challenges.
However, supporters of the commission have maintained that it operates within its constitutional mandate and faces complex challenges while handling sensitive human rights matters.
Bobi Wine said the bigger issue was not only Wangadya’s resignation but what he described as a repeated cycle where officials become unpopular because of decisions made while serving in government.
“The tragedy here is not one individual’s downfall. It is the fact that this cycle keeps repeating itself,” he said.
He accused some public servants of becoming tools used to suppress citizens’ rights, only to later be left alone when political circumstances change.
According to Bobi Wine, government officials should remember that public positions are temporary, but their names and reputations remain after they leave office.
He urged public servants to consider how their actions will be remembered after their time in power ends.
“Power expires. Titles disappear. Official protection ends. What remains is your name, your conscience, and the legacy of the choices you made while you had authority,” he said.
Bobi Wine concluded by warning government officials against taking actions that harm citizens for political interests, saying that those who support a system should not assume they will always be protected by it.
The government had not issued an official response to Bobi Wine’s remarks at the time of publication, while Wangadya’s resignation continues to generate debate among political actors and human rights groups.
About the Author
