The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has issued a strong warning over what it describes as a growing shift toward “opaque e-justice,” citing recent court directives in a case involving opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye as a threat to transparency and fair trial standards.
In a detailed press statement, the lawyers’ body expressed concern over case management orders issued by High Court Judge Simon Peter M. Kinobe on July 17, 2026.
The directives relate to High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 0248 of 2026, in which Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale are applicants against Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Attorney General.
The ULS argues that the new directions impose strict electronic filing deadlines under the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), disadvantaging remand prisoners who lack access to digital tools and legal resources.
“These directions represent a troubling acceleration toward opaque e-justice,” the statement reads, adding that the system risks institutionalising unequal access to justice and undermining open court processes.
The Society further noted that the directives prioritise administrative efficiency over constitutional safeguards.
It warned that limited access to proceedings and records could violate key constitutional provisions guaranteeing public hearings and transparency.
“It is untenable to require incarcerated applicants to meet tight filing timelines while the respondents enjoy full state resources,” ULS stated, describing the imbalance as a violation of the principle of equality of arms in legal proceedings.
The legal body also criticised the court for failing to mandate a pre-hearing scheduling conference, arguing that such a step is essential in complex cases to address logistical challenges and ensure fairness.
Additionally, the absence of contingency measures for power outages, internet disruptions, or system failures was flagged as a major risk that could further compromise justice delivery.
ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde called for an urgent review of the directives, urging the judiciary to adopt more inclusive and transparent procedures.
“We demand the rescission of the Chief Justice’s Administrative Circular No. 1 of 2026 and the issuance of new guidelines that prioritise open justice, fairness, and accessibility,” he said.
The Society concluded with a stark warning: “Justice that cannot be seen or accessed by the people is no justice at all.”