THE REGIME USES AND DUMPS: Bobi Wine Speaks on Wangadya Resignation

The President of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has said the resignation of Mariam Fauzat Wangadya as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) should serve as a warning to public officials who, in his view, sacrifice justice and human rights in pursuit of political power.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Kyagulanyi argued that Wangadya’s departure reflected a familiar pattern in which senior government officials are discarded once they are no longer politically useful.

“For a long time, Museveni’s regime has relied on individuals occupying positions of public authority to execute its political agenda, at the cost of justice and the rights of fellow Ugandans,” Kyagulanyi said.

“To ensure regime survival, many have traded their integrity for power, privilege, or protection, only to discover that the very system they served has no loyalty to them whatsoever.”

The opposition leader grouped Wangadya alongside several prominent figures whom he claimed were ultimately abandoned by the establishment after years of service.

“We have seen this pattern repeatedly: Kakoza Mutale, Abdallah Kitatta, Kale Kayihura, Peter Elwelu, Anita Among, and now, apparently, Mariam Wangadya, who has reportedly resigned as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission after she was reminded that she’s not one of them.”

Although he acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding Wangadya’s exit remain unclear, Kyagulanyi suggested her resignation could mark an opportunity to restore her reputation.

“Whatever the reasons behind her resignation, I think she has taken what could be her final opportunity to reclaim what is left of her dignity.”

A Career Overshadowed by Controversy

Wangadya’s tenure at the Uganda Human Rights Commission increasingly attracted criticism from opposition politicians, lawyers and human rights activists, who accused the constitutional body of failing to hold security agencies accountable for alleged abuses.

Her leadership came under intense scrutiny during the prolonged detention of opposition figures, including veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his political aide Hajj Obeid Lutale, as well as numerous supporters of the National Unity Platform arrested during political operations.

Pressure mounted further after lawyers, activists and sections of the political opposition accused the commission of remaining largely silent over allegations of abductions, enforced disappearances, torture and prolonged detention carried out by security agencies.

Those controversies dominated public debate in the months preceding Wangadya’s resignation.

“They become instruments of repression”

In his statement, Kyagulanyi said the real tragedy extended beyond Wangadya herself.

“The tragedy here is not one individual’s downfall. It is the fact that this cycle keeps repeating itself,” he said.

“People are appointed, empowered, and celebrated, not to serve the public but to serve the regime, many times at the citizens’ painful cost. They become instruments of repression against their own people.”

He argued that officials who faithfully execute political directives are eventually abandoned.

“Then, after years of unquestioning loyalty, they are dumped the moment they cease to be politically useful,” noted Bobi Wine.

“The regime abandons them without hesitation. They are isolated and left to face public anger, legal consequences, and the judgment of history, alone, while those who gave them orders quietly move on to recruit the next willing enforcer.”

Kyagulanyi said the recurring pattern leaves little room for sympathy.

“It is difficult to feel sympathy for them because this fate has never been a secret,” said the singer and politician.

“Museveni’s regime has consistently demonstrated that loyalty to him is purely transactional.

Yesterday’s trusted enforcer eventually becomes today’s forgotten casualty. Yet each new generation of enablers convinces itself that it will somehow be treated differently. It never is.”

“Reputations Are Permanent”

The opposition leader concluded by urging public officials to think beyond the offices they hold.

“That is why every public servant should remember that offices are temporary but reputations are permanent,” he advised.

“Power expires. Titles disappear. Official protection ends. What remains is your name, your conscience, and the legacy of the choices you made while you had authority.”

He warned those serving in public office against participating in actions that undermine the rights of fellow citizens.

“Before accepting the role of persecuting, silencing, or oppressing fellow Ugandans for political survival or personal gain, ask yourself one question; what will remain when the office and the power is gone?”

Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a final caution directed at government officials.

“The Museveni regime does not protect its enablers forever. It simply replaces them.”

The government had not officially responded to Kyagulanyi’s remarks by the time of publication.

Meanwhile, Mariam Wangadya is under pressure to apologize even after she resigned, as reported Here.

It should be remembered that Mariam Wangadya refused to apologize to Muhoozi, and the EU honored her for her boldness. (See Details Here and There).