The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticised President Yoweri Museveni over his comments on the ongoing treason trial of opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, saying they amount to interference with the administration of justice.
In a televised national address on Saturday evening, Museveni accused Besigye of frustrating the progress of his own trial by repeatedly challenging court proceedings instead of defending himself against the charges.
The President questioned why an accused person should be allowed to delay a criminal trial for an extended period, arguing that if Besigye believes the charges are politically motivated, he should use the court process to prove his innocence.
Museveni also criticised the continued granting of bail in serious criminal cases, arguing that suspects who intimidate witnesses should not easily be released pending trial.
However, in a statement issued shortly after the President’s address, the Uganda Law Society said Museveni’s comments on an active criminal case violated the sub judice principle and risked prejudicing Besigye’s right to a fair hearing.
ULS president Isaac K. Ssemakadde called on the chief justice, the Judiciary’s top management and judicial associations to publicly denounce what he described as executive interference in judicial proceedings.
“The President’s address constitutes clear sub judice contempt of court,” the statement said, arguing that Museveni had publicly commented on the motives, conduct and merits of a case that is still before the courts.
The lawyers’ body further argued that the President’s renewed criticism of bail amounted to an attack on the constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and the presumption of innocence under Articles 23 and 28 of the Constitution.
According to the ULS, decisions on whether to grant bail fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the courts and cannot be dictated by the executive.
Ssemakadde added that abolishing bail would be inconsistent with Uganda’s constitutional framework and international legal standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (Tokyo Rules), the African Commission’s Luanda Guidelines and the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary.
“Banning bail will not protect witnesses. It will instead punish the innocent and shield systemic failures from scrutiny,” the statement said.
The ULS called on Museveni to refrain from making public comments on pending court cases, including Besigye’s trial, arguing that such remarks undermine judicial independence and public confidence in the administration of justice.
The society also urged the Judiciary to publicly defend its independence, citing the position taken by magistrate Sheilla Gloria Atim in the Uganda v. Miria Matembe (Luzira Criminal Case No. 132 of 2026), which it described as an example of judicial officers resisting external interference.
The lawyers’ body further called on government to address what it described as deeper structural challenges within the justice sector, including judicial inefficiency, corruption, inadequate witness protection, and alleged political and military interference in judicial processes.
Besigye is currently facing treason charges before the civilian courts after his case was transferred from the military justice system following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that civilians cannot be tried before military courts.
Since then, the case has been marked by a series of legal disputes over the conduct of the prosecution and the management of the proceedings. The Uganda Law Society said it remains committed to defending constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary.
What the Law Society must understand and should be obvious is that, Museveni is a person who has violated the Constitution over and over again, not only in deeds, but in words. He has compromised all arms of government, and has demonstrated that he and his family are above the law. A different approach is required . Good luck.
In other words, by his unnecessary, monotonous and boring address to the nation, our 86-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA, Gen Tibuhaburwa; is not only being diversionary away from his son, Gen MK’s rampaging act of terrorism and atrocity, but also being redundant and seeking attention and indirectly intimidating the Judiciary.
Ok!!