Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
On behalf of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, I congratulate you upon your appointment as Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Throughout your tenure, you consistently treated the Uganda Human Rights Commission as a valued constitutional partner. Whenever we sought legal guidance, your office was responsive, thoughtful and dependable. Whether it was the legal opinion regarding the constitution and operations of the UHRC Tribunal, guidance on contractual matters involving staff beyond retirement age, or the defence of the Commission in court, your office was always available when called upon.
We particularly appreciate your unwavering commitment to institutional excellence. You are known for your attention to detail and your insistence on high professional standards. That perfectionism was not always easy on those around you, but it undoubtedly strengthened the Office of the Attorney General. Under your stewardship, State Attorneys became more proactive, more diligent, and more prepared. Today, government cases are defended with greater consistency and professionalism because of the culture of excellence you’ve nurtured.
At UHRC, we also benefitted from your wise counsel as we navigated important institutional reforms. The Tribunal now operates fully as a Commission under the leadership of the Chairperson, and the results have been remarkable. Your guidance helped provide legal clarity and confidence at critical moments of transition.
The move from Justice to Defence may appear significant, but perhaps it is not. In truth, both ministries are guardians of the Republic. One defends the nation through the force of law; the other defends it through the force of arms. As human rights defenders, we are reassured that someone who understands the law so deeply is now entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding our national security.
Attorney General, we thank you not only for your service to government but also for your respect for people and institutions. In an age where many speak about the rule of law, you consistently worked to make it function.
As you leave the Attorney General’s Chambers for the Ministry of Defence, we wish you continued wisdom, strength and success. We trust that you will bring to your new office the same discipline, diligence and constitutional fidelity that defined your tenure as Attorney General.
And if there is one thing we know for certain, it is that the Ministry of Defence is about to discover what the Ministry of Justice already knew: perfectionism can be a very effective management tool.
We congratulate you and wish you God’s blessings in your new assignment.
Thank you.
Mariam Wangadya
Chairperson
Uganda Human Rights Commission
