Proceedings at the Kawempe Chief Magistrate’s court were thrown into disarray after grade one magistrate Damalie Agumaasiimwe stormed out of a heated session involving 33 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who are accused of malicious damage to property.
The chaos erupted after a bitter clash between chief state attorney Sharon Nambuya and the defense lawyers, each accusing the other of unprofessional conduct. The dispute began when Nambuya demanded that a team of seven defense lawyers, led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, produce their practising certificates to prove they were legally entitled to appear in court.
The defense team, which included Shamim Malende (Kampala District Woman MP) and Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi (Kawempe North MP), responded by presenting their certificates electronically.
They then turned the tables on Nambuya, demanding that she, too, present an official letter to prove her appointment to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). A visibly angered Nambuya argued that her appointment had been published in the Uganda Gazette and was therefore public knowledge.
The defense lawyers countered, insisting that her claim required evidence, just as she had demanded proof of their qualifications. Frustrated by the escalating exchanges, Agumaasiimwe declared that she could not preside over what she described as a “market-like court” and walked out.
She noted that such a lack of decorum was uncharacteristic of the bar, a profession expected to be honourable. The packed courtroom fell silent as the two sides continued their acrimonious exchange.
The magistrate later summoned both parties to her chambers to discuss how to restore order. The case involves 33 NUP supporters, including MPs Muwada Nkunyingi and Derrick Nyenko, who are charged with malicious damage to property and being a common nuisance.
They were arrested in March during violence linked to the Kawempe North by-election. Criminal summons were also issued for four suspects who failed to appear in court. The matter was adjourned to October 21, 2025, with the expectation that the magistrate would have resolved the complaint before the next hearing.
It is like in the physics of ‘magnetism: when like poles are brought together they repulse each other
That was what happened when the case of ‘malicious prosecution’ and ‘malicious damage to property’ were brought together: The power of REPULSION even ejected the Magistrate from the process/proceeding.
In other words, HONESTY and PROFESSIONAL ETHICS MATTER!
Well that is the kind of ways the NRM judiciary spends tax payers’ money involving itself together with the members of the Opposition in all sorts of frivolous administrative businesses. These are the politicians gladly looking forward to up coming national elections that are violent, full of Gerrymandering and not free and fair. The members of the opposition are being abducted, imprisoned and discouraged anyhow left, right and centre not to try and process any political campaign of any sorts. One has of recent been reading this public media press about the workers of this Judicial ministry complaining about a lack of an increment in their meagre wages. Surely one believes that if it was the hard working tax payer that was to decide to increase such wages, these workers would no get any increase. There is no value for money spent in such efforts by the citizens of Uganda, to look for justice in such a biased and less educated African work force!
Kabayekka, best way forward is: the entire opposition should simply withdraw from/boycott the process and the voters should not waste their time going to the poll next January 2026.
In other words, let our 84-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA rule until he drops dead in our State House, and rolled out legs first.
Otherwise, to participate in what is not true/BOGUS, is nonsensical and a waste of time and valuable resources that can be put to better use.