The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) reached more than 300 people with human rights and civic education during the 10-day International Trade Fair organized by the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) at the Lugogo show grounds in Kampala.

The Commission, through its Public Affairs Division, mounted an exhibition stall which members of the public voluntarily approached randomly to receive human rights education and information including; institutional reports and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. The stall was manned by the Chairperson, Hon. Mariam Wangadya; a Member of the Commission, Hon. Shifrah Lukwago; the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Kamadi Byonabye; Directors; Managers and a section of staff.

The Chairperson’s visit, on Friday morning (Independence Day 9th October), heightened the attraction not just to her but to the stall from exhibitors and members of the public. As soon as she walked in, there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. Aside from the security personnel, who, by virtue of their training, stood still in salutation, many exhibitors were also seen pausing their activities in their stalls to acknowledge her presence, some volunteering unsolicited greeting to her.

Upon settling at the stall, the Chairperson was approached by several people eager to interact with her, ask questions and learn more about the Commission’s work.

One teacher from Luwero District expressed surprise at meeting the Chairperson in person, remarking, “I think you are Dr. Wangadya who heads this nani…institution.” To which the Chairperson answered in affirmative with a smile. And he added, “I am happy meeting you here. I have been seeing you on TV.”  For a moment, he appeared lost for words. 

The Chairperson encouraged him to feel free to ask questions, saying, “I am here. Ask anything; don’t fear.”

“Ooh, thank you for the good work,” he responded and paused again before another visitor joined the conversation with a question.

Within a short time of her stay at the stall, the registration form had been filled by members of the public, eagerly queuing up and waiting to interact with her. Many took the opportunity to take photographs with her as they received institutional reports and IEC materials.

Reflecting on the engagement, Hon. Wangadya said, “I have seen for myself the enthusiasm of the general public. They have asked questions and I have given them answers. At the same time, we have received feedback from them on how they view our performance.”

Prior to the Chairperson’s presence, Hon. Lukwago also participated in the human rights education at the stall. On Thursday, she braved the afternoon heat in the Main Exhibition Hall alongside the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Kamadi Byonabye to interact with members of the public. Her presence generated excitement among several attendees, particularly members of the Muslim community, some of whom greeted her with Assalamu Alaykum. She shared human rights knowledge and distributed IEC materials.

The Acting Secretary also engaged visitors on various human rights issues. In one interaction, a university student approached him and said, “I want to know about human rights.”

When asked what specifically he wanted to know; the student replied, “Everything.” The Acting Secretary then explained the concept of human rights, the mandate of the Commission, and the duties and responsibilities of citizens.

The ten days of exhibition started on Friday (October 2nd) with a modest turn up which kept increasing as days went-by. The weekend of the exhibition witnessed a number of students, both from Primary and secondary schools. To the contrary, most primary school kids appeared more knowledgeable about human rights than their counterpart in secondary. 

At the beginning of the week, the stall received a number of University students, including Ms. Mitchelle Namaala who was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Commission’s reports were available free of charge. She picked several human rights books and reports, which she said she intended to use to enrich her elective course on human rights. She also called upon her fellow students to visit the Commission’s stall and benefit from the free human rights publications.

At the stall, we also received, among other guests, one of the Clan leaders in the Buganda Kingdom, Mr. Edward Bogere who expressed appreciation for the Commission’s translation of the Bill of Rights into several languages including Luganda - his language. He welcomed the initiative as an opportunity to make human rights information more accessible to people in their own language. He also encourage the Commission to pay a visit to the Kabaka or the Katikkiro.

Our Director of Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services, Ms. Pauline Nansamba Mutumba fired up the exhibition as she was the first high-profile guest from the Commission to visit the stall on Wednesday, setting the stage for subsequent visits by other Commission officials, which were ultimately crowned by the Chairperson.

The exhibition also attracted the Acting Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Dennis Kakeeto who by coincidence entertained questions from senior officers from the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service. The officers visited the stall to learn about what the Commission was exhibiting and to receive IEC materials. The Commission Planner, Mr. Charles Mukasa Tebuseke also took his turn at the stall on Friday afternoon, shortly after the Chairperson’s departure.

The exhibition attracted people from different backgrounds who expressed interest in the Commission’s work, including its reports and the educational materials on display.

A retired secondary school teacher, Mr. Daniel Erau said during his vest to the stall revealed that he enjoys educating his community and intended to use the materials he had received from the Commission to sensitize community members about human rights.

Overall, the 10-day exhibition provided the Commission with an important platform to promote human rights awareness, engage directly with the public and receive feedback on its work.