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Uganda Law Society condemns ‘emerging’ trends of torture
ULS vice president Anthony Asiimwe noted that this is not only undermining the rule of law and constitutionalism, but it is also affecting the credibility of the Government.
Uganda Law Society (ULS) vice president Anthony Asiimwe. (File photo)
By: Farooq Kasule and Evelyn Kemigisa, Journalists @New Vision
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The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned what it has described as the emerging and worrying trends of torture and degrading treatment targeting mostly members of the opposition and government critics in the country.
ULS vice president Anthony Asiimwe noted that this is not only undermining the rule of law and constitutionalism, but it is also affecting the credibility of the Government.
Asiimwe voiced the concern while receiving a petition from members of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) at ULS offices in Kampala today (June 25, 2026).
“Currently, there is total disregard of the rule of law in this country. That is why we have constituted a committee to enforce section 3 (c) of the Uganda Law Society Act, which empowers us to protect and safeguard our members in the line of duty,” Asiimwe told members of PFF.
In the petition, the PFF members led by Salaam Musumba and Dr Lulume Bayiga expressed concern over the manner in which ex-Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is also the executive chairman of the party, was treated following his arrest.
Lukwago has since been charged with misprision of treason arising from the treason charges that have been slapped on Dr Kizza Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale and a Uganda People's Defence Forces soldier, Capt. Denish Oola. Lukwago is representing Lukwago and Lutale in the matter.
Concerning Lukwago, Asiimwe said ULS is duty bound to protect all advocates regardless of their political affiliations, noting that an attack on one of them is an attack on the entire legal fraternity.
“We have always respected our members' autonomy, but what is currently happening in our country is beyond political affiliation or ideologies,” Asiimwe said.
Asiimwe also criticised the justices of the Constitutional Court for their decision in the case of Faruku Muhamed and others versus Attorney General in which they declared section 11(2) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act unconstitutional, saying they abdicated their duty of protecting citizens from torture by focusing on completion of trials.
In the petition, the PFF members led by Salaam Musumba and Dr Lulume Bayiga expressed concern over the manner in which ex-Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is also the executive chairman of the party, was treated following his arrest.
Lukwago has since been charged with misprision of treason arising from the treason charges that have been slapped on Dr Kizza Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale and a Uganda People's Defence Forces soldier, Capt. Denish Oola. Lukwago is representing Lukwago and Lutale in the matter.
Concerning Lukwago, Asiimwe said ULS is duty bound to protect all advocates regardless of their political affiliations, noting that an attack on one of them is an attack on the entire legal fraternity.
“We have always respected our members' autonomy, but what is currently happening in our country is beyond political affiliation or ideologies,” Asiimwe said.
Asiimwe also criticised the justices of the Constitutional Court for their decision in the case of Faruku Muhamed and others versus Attorney General in which they declared section 11(2) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act unconstitutional, saying they abdicated their duty of protecting citizens from torture by focusing on completion of trials.
Asiimwe argued that ever since the decision was made, there have been increased cases of torture, saying a committee has been put in place to pursue an appeal against the decision.
“We must find a way as citizens out of this because even the President (Yoweri Museveni) did not mention anything about the state of rule of law in the country during the state of the nation address,” Asiimwe said.
City lawyer Anthony Jjumba, who also presented a petition regarding torture at workplaces to ULS, warned that state-backed torture becomes workplace torture and it should be avoided.
On her part, Musumba decried what she described as the increased state of lawlessness in the country, and called upon the Government to respect the rule of law and constitutionalism.
“We must find a way as citizens out of this because even the President (Yoweri Museveni) did not mention anything about the state of rule of law in the country during the state of the nation address,” Asiimwe said.
City lawyer Anthony Jjumba, who also presented a petition regarding torture at workplaces to ULS, warned that state-backed torture becomes workplace torture and it should be avoided.
On her part, Musumba decried what she described as the increased state of lawlessness in the country, and called upon the Government to respect the rule of law and constitutionalism.