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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights.

The General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner and her Office with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. The United Nations human rights programme aims to ensure that the protection and enjoyment of human rights is a reality in the lives of all people. UN Human Rights also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the three interconnected pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, human rights and development.

UN Human Rights provides assistance in the form of technical expertise and capacity-development in order to support the implementation of international human rights standards on the ground. It assists governments, which bear the primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfil their obligations and supports individuals to claim their rights. Moreover, it speaks out objectively on human rights violations.

In Uganda, the mandate of OHCHR’s Office reflects the general mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and is agreed with the Government of the Republic of Uganda.

The UN Human Rights Office in Uganda was established in July 2005 to protect and promote human rights in the conflict affected areas of northern Uganda and Karamoja. In 2009 the mandate was extended to cover the entire country and all human rights issues.. In February 2020, a new Host Country Agreement was signed between the Government of Uganda and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

OHCHR Uganda has its main office in Kampala, and has sub-regional offices in Gulu for northern Uganda and in Moroto for the Karamoja region.