Uganda Announces Cabinet Approval of Human Rights Report for UN Review

Uganda's government announced on October 27 that Cabinet had approved the country's national report for the fourth cycle of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review. The decision was taken on October 26. The report will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ICT Ministry's briefing statement said the report describes government efforts to strengthen human-rights institutions and access to justice. It also covers women and children, refugees, social protection, education, health, business and human rights, and climate-related issues. The ministry said approval did not mean every human-rights challenge had been resolved and that the report identifies remaining problems. Its statement said: "Our responsibility is to build on the progress made and address the gaps that remain." In an October 10 announcement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it and the Justice Ministry had convened a stakeholder meeting to validate the report at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. Participants included government institutions, the Uganda Human Rights Commission and civil society. The report addresses recommendations from Uganda's previous review, held on January 27, 2022. The Universal Periodic Review allows countries to present their human-rights records for examination and recommendations by other states, according to the government's briefing. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Uganda's next review is scheduled for the 54th session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva in January–February 2027.