A fresh clash has erupted between Uganda’s legal fraternity and the Executive after Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde strongly rebuked President Yoweri Museveni over his public comments on the ongoing trial of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Speaking shortly after Museveni’s national address on Saturday, Ssemakadde accused the President of overstepping constitutional boundaries by commenting on a matter actively before the courts, warning that such remarks risk undermining judicial independence.
“Uganda Law Society strongly condemns President Kaguta Museveni’s address today on the pending trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his stated opposition to bail,” Ssemakadde said.
“These remarks interfere with the independence of the courts. We call on the Judiciary to condemn them—without delay.”
During his address, Museveni questioned the pace of Besigye’s trial, attributing delays to repeated legal applications and what he described as reliance on bail and procedural safeguards.
He suggested that such legal avenues were being used to frustrate justice, a position that has sparked immediate backlash within legal circles.
Ssemakadde pushed back firmly, emphasizing that bail is a constitutional right, not a privilege subject to political opinion.
He warned that public statements from the Head of State on active cases could be interpreted as an attempt to influence judicial outcomes.
“The principle of separation of powers must be respected at all times,” he added. “Courts must be allowed to operate independently, free from external pressure or perception of direction.”
Legal observers note that this is not the first time tensions have emerged between the Executive and the Judiciary over politically sensitive cases.
However, the ULS intervention signals growing concern within the legal community over what it views as increasing encroachment on judicial space.
Dr. Besigye, a long-time opposition leader and critic of Museveni’s administration, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions over the years, with his legal battles often drawing national and international attention.
Ssemakadde’s remarks now place the spotlight squarely on the Judiciary, which he has urged to respond swiftly and decisively.
His call raises broader questions about the protection of constitutional rights and the ability of courts to operate without perceived interference.