CONSULTATIVE MEETING FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT Yesterday, the Commission concluded a two-day consultative meeting for the 29th Annual Human Rights Report at Esella Country Hotel. The meeting brought together stakeholders to share perspectives on various thematic areas, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Uganda; food safety and human rights, with contributions from @MAAIF_Uganda, @CefrohtUg, @StatisticsUg, and @MinofHealthUG; as well as civil society perspectives on digital rights in Uganda, presented by the @ISOCUg. Speaking about the plight of security guards in Uganda, Training Officer–Private Security at @PoliceUg, SSP Twaha Etima, noted that private security guards work under harsh conditions, including long working hours without adequate rest, low pay, and job insecurity. “Most guards work beyond 12 hours, seven days a week without rest. The majority earn between UGX 130,000 and UGX 200,000 per month. That amount is before deductions. After deductions such as NSSF, their take-home pay remains very low. Most of them work without employment contracts,” he told the meeting. While presenting on the return migration of Ugandans from South Africa, Foreign Service Officer at @UgandaMFA, Mr. Sam Tiitwe, noted that the Government, through @mofpedU, and @ugandaMFA, is working with @EntUganda to ensure that returnees receive training in various areas. The Principal Legal Officer at @MEMD_Uganda, Mr. Francis Elungat, shared perspectives on strengthening human rights due diligence and environmental safeguards in Uganda’s extractive sector. Ms. Lucy Peace Nantume, Business and Human Rights Expert at @EnabelinUganda, highlighted concerns regarding human rights violations in private businesses, particularly in the private health and education sectors, which she said often go unchecked. She called for increased inspection of private businesses to assess “their affordability and access, non-discrimination, accessibility by vulnerable persons, accountability, and effective state regulation of private actors.” In her closing remarks, Director @mutumba_n said that the 29th annual report on the rights and freedoms in Uganda in 2026 will be launched by February 2027 to allow sufficient time for its recommendations to be implemented. The sessions were chaired by Members of the Commission; Hon. @shifrahl and Hon. @ckaheru who is also the Chairperson of the Commission’s Editorial Board. Also in attendance were; the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Mr. @BKamadi, Director Regional Services, Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa, Acting Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Dennis Kakeeto, Manager, Policy and Planning Division, Mr. Charles Mukasa Tebuseke, and staff of the Directorate of Monitoring and Inspections.