The Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Justice Richard Buteera has asked the newly appointed members of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to work as team and not individuals if they are to achieve the desired mission.

Justice Buteera made remarks on Tuesday 20, December, 2022, during the swearing in ceremony of the appointees at the Court of Appeal TWED towers Kampala.

Earlier this year, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed new members to the commission in addition to the Chairperson and other members that were appointed and sworn in last year.

The newly appointed members are Hon. Apita, Hon. Simeo Nsubuga, and Hon. Steven Basaliza alias Omudumizi . These took oath in presence of the UHRC commissioners Chrispin Kaheru and Lukwago Shifrah.

In his speech, Justice Buteera asked the appointees to always remember that they are part of other institutions of government that have to work together for the desired national development.

“Always serve with humility, integrity, make decisions regarding institution and the country with utmost sobriety,” Justice Buteera asked.

He also encouraged the newly appointed members to strive to the best of their abilities and let their contributions be felt by those they serve and those that will come after them.

The Deputy Chief Justice believes that with such commitment to hard work and coordination with other state agencies especially the Justice Law and Order Sector, the commission will have no backlog in handling complaints filed by the public.

“The responsibility to effectively implement your mandate under the law rests entirely with you and the commission as a whole.  Always consult and make decisions which do not deny Ugandans the intended services,” he said.

“Your appointment comes at a time when there is a public outcry on violation of Human Rights by different activists and citizens of the country. Therefore, the process of handling complaints on human rights violations must ensure that victims receive effective redress expeditiously and that the perpetrators are held accountable for the human rights violations,” Justice Buteera noted.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission is established under Article 51 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 as amended and Article 52 of the same constitution highlights a number of functions of the commission and in execution of the functions, the commission shall be independent and shall not in the performance of its duties be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.