Robert Kyagulanyi, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), dramatically walked out on the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) tribunal on Monday morning after a heated exchange with its chairperson, Mariam Wangadya. Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, expressed his frustration over the five-year delay in hearing his case, calling into question the fairness and credibility of the Commission.
"I filed this case five years ago and it's only being heard for the first time today," Kyagulanyi stated. "Justice delayed is justice denied." His lawyer, George Musisi, had made an earnest plea for him to speak, allowing Kyagulanyi to voice his grievances.
Ms. Wangadya, however, was not receptive to Kyagulanyi's remarks and threatened to expel him from the tribunal.
"I am not going to allow you to continue with this statement," Wangadya asserted. "If this is what you have to say, I'm not allowing you to say anything further. You have your lawyers. You speak through them; if not, I'll order you to leave."
Despite the warning, Kyagulanyi defiantly continued to express his dissatisfaction with the UHRC. In response, Ms. Wangadya ordered him to be thrown out of the proceedings. Refusing to concede, Kyagulanyi announced he was withdrawing his case, leaving Ms. Wangadya and the Commission in a difficult position.
The incident occurred during a session at the UHRC offices on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala, where the tribunal was scheduled to hear Kyagulanyi's case for the first time since it was filed in 2018. The case involved allegations that security forces blocked his concerts and detained his music equipment.
Ms. Wangadya was initially hesitant to allow Kyagulanyi to speak, as he was represented by a lawyer. However, after Musisi's request, Kyagulanyi was permitted to speak, leading to the contentious exchange. Kyagulanyi accused the Commission of incompetence and bias, stating, "I have withdrawn that case because this commission is not able to hear it fairly."
He further criticized the Commission's past investigations, which he claimed had failed to produce results.
"We have seen the previous investigations about the missing people and have not yielded anything, so I don't expect them to hear this," Kyagulanyi said.
As Kyagulanyi and his team left the chambers, Ms. Wangadya was heard shouting, "Case dismissed," to which Kyagulanyi retorted, "Withdrawn, not dismissed."
The UHRC tribunal, established under the UHRC Act, is a special court designed to hear cases of human rights violations. Other politicians, such as Dr. Kizza Besigye, have experienced similar delays with the tribunal. Besigye's case, filed in 2015, remains unresolved.
Kyagulanyi's decision to withdraw his case on Monday underscores the growing criticism against the UHRC for its perceived inaction and failure to address human rights abuses effectively.
