Maria Burnett is a human rights lawyer and consultant to human rights organizations and foundations. For over 13 years, she worked with the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch, first based in Bujumbura as the Burundi researcher and then later in Kampala as the Uganda researcher. She eventually became an associate director in the Africa Division and director for the East and Horn of Africa, supervising work on Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Burnett has researched and written on a broad range of human rights issues, including police brutality, free expression, child soldiers, women’s and children’s rights, the rights of indigenous people in the context of mining and exploration, the use of torture and extrajudicial executions, threats to civic space, and justice reform in Central and East Africa. Her writing has appeared in Al Jazeera, the East African, CNN, the Daily Monitor, the Index on Censorship, and the American Scholar, among other news sources. Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, Burnett worked as an architect and journalist in Southern and West Africa. Burnett holds a law degree from Yale Law School, a master’s from the Architectural Association in London, and a bachelor's in architecture, summa cum laude, from Princeton University. She has studied at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Harbin Institute of Technology, China. She speaks French, Italian, and Albanian.

Programs & Projects

All content by Maria E. Burnett

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Addressing Uganda's Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Rights

What is driving the latest crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda, and how can the international community support Uganda's LGBTQ+ community?

Event by Maria E. Burnett , Frank Mugisha, PhD , Nicholas Opiyo , Qwin Mbabazi , and Jessica Stern — April 10, 2023

What Africa Experts Are Watching in 2023

To preview some of the top stories in 2023, the CSIS Africa Program presents its annual list of key countries and issues to watch this year.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , Catherine Nzuki , William Mark Bellamy , Mimi Alemayehou , Maria E. Burnett , Emilia Columbo , Ryan Cummings , Cameron Hudson , and Laird Treiber — March 8, 2023

Stability, Security, and Uganda’s Ever-Elusive Leadership Transition

What does democratic repression and authoritarian rule under President Museveni mean for Uganda’s democracy and stability? Michael Mutyaba and Maria Burnett explore the domestic, regional, and international ramifications of Museveni’s rule.

Commentary by Maria E. Burnett and Michael Mutyaba — August 12, 2022

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022

The CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories and trends in the region for 2022.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , William Mark Bellamy , Hannah Ryder , Laird Treiber , Emilia Columbo , Will Brown , Rafiq Raji , Ryan Cummings , Maria E. Burnett , and Marielle Harris — January 20, 2022

Fault Lines in Five More Years of Museveni’s Rule

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni entered his sixth term in office this week. Senior Associate Maria Burnett calls on Western partners to reassess their support for Uganda amid a sharpening decline in democracy.

Commentary by Maria E. Burnett — May 14, 2021

Into Africa

Beyond Strongly-Worded Statements

How do we go beyond rhetoric that rarely translates into concrete and strategic action? 

Podcast Episode by Maria E. Burnett — February 18, 2021

CSIS Into Africa

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021

From escalating conflicts in Ethiopia and Mozambique to a China-Africa relationship characterized by vaccine distribution and debt forgiveness, the CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories to watch in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021.

Commentary by Yemi Adamolekun , Lina Benabdallah , and Will Brown , Maria E. Burnett , Emilia Columbo , Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , Hilary Matfess , Rafiq Raji , Jon Temin , Laird Treiber , Judd Devermont , Marielle Harris , Kyle Murphy — January 12, 2021

Repression as Voters Weigh Museveni’s 34 Years

Uganda’s ruling party is cracking down on the opposition and protesters ahead of the January 2021 presidential elections. Maria Burnett and Irene Ikomu analyze recent arrests and killings and identify opportunities for both regional and international engagement.

Critical Questions by Maria E. Burnett — December 8, 2020