The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has directed its own member, Commissioner Simeo Nsubuga, to publicly apologize to Kassanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Pheobeh Namulindwa for what it described as sexist and defamatory statements.

The directive was issued by UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya in a letter dated October 28, 2025, following a formal complaint lodged by Namulindwa. The RDC accused Nsubuga, a former Kassanda South legislator, of spreading false and malicious claims about her personal life and professional conduct.

According to Wangadya, the Commission reviewed audio and video recordings in which Nsubuga allegedly made disparaging remarks about Namulindwa, including accusations of romantic impropriety and election malpractice. “Unless rebutted with evidence, I find your remarks sexist, chauvinistic, abusive, and defamatory,” Wangadya wrote.

She reminded Nsubuga that as a member of the Commission, he is bound by the constitutional requirement to uphold high moral character and proven integrity, as stipulated under Article 51(4) of the 1995 Constitution.
“As a member of UHRC, you are expected to show respect to other leaders and all persons, regardless of political or social differences,” Wangadya emphasized.

The UHRC chair further observed that some of Nsubuga’s comments not only violated human rights principles but also contradicted Buganda cultural norms and the internal disciplinary processes of the ruling NRM party, of which both officials are members.

She noted that Nsubuga’s claim of a romantic relationship between Namulindwa and Kassanda North MP Patrick Nsamba was culturally insensitive, as the two reportedly belong to the Ngabi clan, where such relations are traditionally forbidden.
“In Buganda culture, it is an abomination for members of the same clan to engage in an intimate relationship,” Wangadya stated, adding that any allegations of election malpractice should have been handled through NRM’s established internal mechanisms.

The Commission has given Nsubuga 14 days from the date of the letter to retract his statements and issue a public apology to Namulindwa.

Nsubuga, who served as Kassanda South MP from 2016 to 2021, lost in the July 2025 NRM primaries. His recent public remarks have sparked controversy in Kassanda District and within the ruling party, prompting the UHRC’s intervention.

The UHRC’s move is being seen as a rare case of internal accountability within the Commission — a gesture that observers say reinforces the institution’s commitment to professional ethics and gender respect.