Uganda Human Rights Commission Director Faces Questions Over Multiple Roles, Case Closures

Parliamentary committee members in Uganda are scrutinizing Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, the Director of Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). The scrutiny centers on her swift career progression within the commission, the multiple senior roles she holds concurrently, and the manner in which human rights complaints are being handled. Appearing before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi, MPs raised questions about Mutumba's rise from personal assistant to the former UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya to her current directorship. Mutumba joined the commission in October 2021 and was promoted through the ranks, holding positions like Principal Human Resource Officer before her current directorship.

Lawmakers questioned whether Mutumba's rapid promotions adhered to public service regulations and if exceptional circumstances justified her accelerated advancement. The committee heard that Mutumba is currently acting Director of Monitoring and Inspections and also chairs the Contracts and Fleet Management Committees, in addition to her primary role. This concentration of responsibilities in one individual has prompted inquiries into the approval process for these assignments. Further complicating matters, Mutumba was assigned additional administrative duties, including minute-taking for the commission, following a split of responsibilities previously held by the Accounting Officer.

The committee also delved into financial practices, specifically the practice of depositing commission activity funds into the personal accounts of staff, including Mutumba and Doreen Nabatte, a personal assistant to the chairperson. The committee has instructed the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate at Parliament to obtain bank statements for the 2024/2025 financial year to trace the movement and nature of funds in these personal accounts. Mutumba and Nabatte are also required to provide statements to the police regarding these transactions. Separately, MPs questioned Mutumba about the closure of human rights complaints, citing the case of Godfrey Kierere, whose complaint was reportedly closed in March 2026 after the commission determined the accused police officer acted in self-defense. The timing and procedure of this closure are under review.