Uganda Human Rights Commission Act

Defines key terms used in the Act: Chairperson, Commission, Commissioner, currency point, Minister, and Secretary.

The Commission shall have officers and employees as necessary; it appoints them in consultation with the Public Service Commission, determines their terms, may engage consultants and may pay remuneration; public officers may be seconded at the Commission's request.

Meetings are presided over by the Chairperson; if the Chairperson is absent the members present may appoint one to preside; decisions should be by consensus where possible; each commissioner has one vote and there is no casting vote; the Commission may prescribe its own procedure.

Parliament must ensure the Commission has adequate resources and facilities; the Secretary shall administer and control the Commission's funds and be the Accounting Officer under the Public Finance Management Act.

Members, employees or other persons acting under the Commission's direction are not personally liable in civil proceedings for acts done in good faith while performing Commission functions.

The Commission must have a seal; the Commission may determine its form and the circumstances in which it is applied, subject to the provisions of any law.

The Attorney General may attend the Commission and provide assistance when requested by the Commission; a witness before the Commission may be represented by counsel.

The Commission has the power to cause a witness to be examined on oath or affirmation.

Witness evidence must be recorded; witnesses may request a copy; the Commission can commit persons for contempt; persons alleged to be in contempt may be represented by counsel.

A person summoned and appearing before the Commission as a witness is entitled to be paid allowances equivalent to those payable to a witness in High Court criminal proceedings; the Commission may also pay reasonable allowances to other persons invited to assist at its meetings.

A witness who appears before the Commission is entitled to the same immunities and privileges as a witness before the High Court.

The Chairperson and other members of the Uganda Human Rights Commission are to be appointed by the President with Parliament's approval; other members must number at least three.

The Commission may apply High Court rules for civil or criminal proceedings when exercising its powers or functions, subject to modifications by the Chief Justice by statutory instrument in consultation with the Commission.

The Chief Justice must make rules of court regulating appeals to the High Court under Article 53(3) from Commission orders made under Article 53(2).

Any person who wilfully obstructs or interferes with the Commission's functions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.

Persons who, in good faith, give information to or assist the Commission in exercising its functions must not be punished for doing so.

A complaint may not be brought before the Commission after five years from the date on which the alleged human-rights violation occurred.

If a person entitled to bring a complaint before the Commission is incapacitated for reasons such as age, infirmity, detention or other just cause, the complaint may be brought at any time within five years after the incapacity ceases or the person dies, whichever happens first.

The Commission may make regulations, in consultation with the Minister, to carry the Act into effect and to facilitate the Commission's work.

The Minister may, by statutory instrument and with Cabinet approval, amend Schedule 1 to this Act.

Members of the Commission and the Secretary must take and subscribe the specified oaths before assuming their duties; the Commission may direct other officers or employees to take the oath in Part II of Schedule 2.

The Chairperson must be head of the Commission, direct and administer its affairs, and monitor and supervise the Secretary's work.

A person holding specified offices must relinquish that office on appointment as a member of the Commission.

Members of the Commission must hold office on a full time basis.

The Commission shall perform a range of functions including investigating human-rights violations, visiting detention places, promoting public awareness of the Constitution, recommending measures to Parliament and other authorities, monitoring treaty compliance, and making reports addressed and signed as required.

The Commission may establish offices at district and other administrative levels.

Section establishes the Secretary of the Commission: appointment by the Commission in consultation with the Public Service Commission, qualification requirement, duties to implement policies and manage administration, entitlement to attend meetings without a vote, removable by the Commission only for incapacity, misconduct or incompetence, with a requirement to be informed and allowed to defend.