The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, announced that the U.N. would be closing its offices in Uganda after nearly two decades. This decision comes after the Ugandan government withdrew permission for the office to operate, leading to the closure of the final remaining office in the country.
Turk expressed regret over the closure of the Kampala office, highlighting the fruitful collaboration between the U.N. and various stakeholders in Uganda to promote and protect human rights. Over the years, the office has made significant progress in integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Uganda’s national planning frameworks and aligning legislation with international human rights standards. Additionally, Uganda became the second African country to establish a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
However, Turk acknowledged that challenges persist in the country, particularly following the Ugandan government’s crackdown in 2021. This crackdown resulted in the closure of 54 NGOs and a regression on international human rights treaties. Turk voiced concern about the increasingly hostile environment faced by human rights defenders, civil society actors, and journalists, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
Despite the closure of its offices, the U.N. Human Rights office reiterated its commitment to working on human rights issues in Uganda. Turk called on the government to fulfill its obligations by adequately supporting the under-resourced Uganda Human Rights Commission and safeguarding its independence amid reports of political interference.
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