Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has criticised what he describes as a growing trend of unfounded allegations targeting opposition leaders, warning that such narratives reflect a worrying decline in critical thinking among the public.
In a statement, Ssemakadde dismissed recurring claims that key opposition figures are secretly working with the government, terming them “lazy mutterings” that lack evidence and undermine meaningful political discourse.
He cited widely circulated assertions that opposition leaders are compromised, including suggestions that some are on the state payroll or engaging in covert dealings with authorities.
According to him, such claims are not grounded in fact but rather represent a failure to engage in reasoned analysis.
“These are not arguments; they are intellectual surrenders,” Ssemakadde stated, cautioning against the casual spread of serious accusations that imply betrayal or treason without proof.
His remarks come at a time when Uganda’s political environment remains highly polarised, with opposition figures frequently accusing the state of repression, while segments of the public question their credibility and consistency.
Ssemakadde warned that amplifying unverified claims risks eroding public trust and weakening democratic engagement.
He urged citizens to adopt a more disciplined approach to political debate by interrogating information before accepting or sharing it.
“Before we weaponise such grave imputations… we ought to pause, weigh, and interrogate the very premises upon which these claims rest,” he said.
The ULS president framed the issue as a broader societal challenge, arguing that the decline in critical thought is not only distorting political conversations but also undermining accountability.
He stressed that informed debate is essential to sustaining democratic institutions.