Kampala, Uganda – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, convened a National Stakeholder Validation Meeting to review and validate Uganda’s draft National Report for the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The meeting, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, brought together representatives from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, and Civil Society Organisations as part of the national process to finalise Uganda’s report ahead of its submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2026.

The meeting was officially opened by Ambassador John Leonard Mugerwa, Head of the Department of International Legal and Social Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was represented by Ms. Akello Susan Apita, Senior State Attorney.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Mugerwa underscored the importance of a broad-based consultation process in ensuring that the final report accurately reflects Uganda’s national context and progress in the promotion and protection of human rights. “This validation process must produce a comprehensive and credible report that reflects our national context while demonstrating Uganda’s commitment to dialogue, cooperation and good governance,” Ambassador Mugerwa said.

The validation exercise provides stakeholders with an opportunity to critically examine the draft report, provide technical input and ensure that relevant developments and measures undertaken since Uganda’s previous review are appropriately captured. The Fourth Cycle report builds on Uganda’s previous UPR engagement and provides an update on the implementation of recommendations received during the Third Cycle Review, which was held on 27 January 2022.

The UPR is a United Nations Human Rights Council mechanism through which the human rights records of UN Member States are reviewed periodically. The process is designed to facilitate dialogue among Member States and other stakeholders on progress, challenges and measures taken to strengthen human rights protection. Following the national validation process, Uganda is expected to submit its Fourth Cycle National Report in October 2026. The country is scheduled to undergo its next review during the 54th Session of the UPR Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council, scheduled to take place in Geneva in January–February 2027.

The stakeholder engagement forms part of Uganda’s preparations for the upcoming review and provides a platform for Government institutions, national human rights bodies and civil society to contribute to the finalisation of the country’s submission.

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