Uganda Law Society (ULS) Deputy President Anthony Asiimwe has raised sharp concerns following President Yoweri Museveni’s recent remarks explaining why suspects are often denied bail.
In his State of the Nation address, Museveni argued that some individuals are kept in custody to prevent them from interfering with witnesses, a position that has sparked debate among legal experts and civil society actors.
Reacting to the address, Asiimwe questioned the constitutional basis of such reasoning, warning that it could undermine the rule of law if left unchallenged.
He posed a series of pointed questions, asking whether the President still recognizes the authority of Uganda’s Constitution and whether the principles enshrined in it are being upheld.
“Listening to the President raises serious concerns that should worry every Ugandan,” Asiimwe stated.
He questioned whether the Head of State still believes in constitutional governance and whether there are advisors guiding decisions on critical legal matters.
His remarks reflect growing unease within sections of the legal fraternity over what they describe as executive overreach.
The ULS official also raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, suggesting that public statements from the executive arm of government risk eroding confidence in judicial processes.
According to him, decisions on bail should remain within the discretion of the courts, guided strictly by the law and not influenced by political considerations.
Museveni’s comments come amid ongoing debates about pre-trial detention and the balance between national security and individual rights.
While the government maintains that denying bail in certain cases is necessary to protect the integrity of investigations, critics argue that prolonged detention without trial violates constitutional guarantees.
Asiimwe warned that continued disregard for legal frameworks could push the country toward institutional instability.
He described the situation as a potential pathway to “lawlessness,” emphasizing the need for all state actors to respect established legal norms.