Uganda’s Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twino Muhairwe, has taken the “Office of Options” message to Makerere University as the Inspectorate of Government began activities to mark the 2026 International Ombudsman Day.
Muhairwe, who is also President of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), made a courtesy visit to Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe as part of the commemorations held under the theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options.”
Makerere is the first public institution visited by the Inspectorate of Government during this year’s International Ombudsman Day activities.
Muhairwe said the Ombudsman’s office should not be viewed primarily as an institution that criticises public bodies, but as a mechanism for promoting fairness, accountability, reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of grievances.
She said the Ombudsman provides citizens and institutions with options for addressing disputes before they escalate, while encouraging dialogue and accountability.
Nawangwe welcomed the engagement and commended the Inspectorate’s reconciliation-based approach to resolving disputes.
He said closer collaboration between Makerere University and the Inspectorate could contribute to fairer and more accountable service delivery within public institutions.
The engagement comes as Uganda joins other countries in marking International Ombudsman Day, which highlights the role of ombudsman institutions in protecting citizens’ rights, improving public administration and resolving complaints through alternative mechanisms.
The Inspectorate’s outreach to public institutions is expected to reinforce awareness of the Ombudsman’s role and encourage citizens and institutions to use available channels for resolving grievances.
The 2026 theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options,” places emphasis on the Ombudsman as a source of practical alternatives for people seeking redress, mediation and fair resolution of disputes.
