Uganda Law Society President, Isaac Ssemakadde has continued to bang tables in the country, this time round targeting the Chief Justice, Alphonse Owiny Dollo.
In an “open letter” to Dollo, Ssemakadde says the recent detention of Dr.Kizza Besigye after his abduction from Kenya is something of concern, noting that the prosecutorial misconduct, a police to prison pipeline and judicial decisions that seem motivated by interests far removed from legal principles raise concern.
“Disturbingly, not isolated incidents, they are a pattern that threatens to define your legacy. We are facing a judicial crisis that threatens to unravel the very fabric of rule of law in Uganda ,” Ssemakadde says.
In further banging the Chief Jusitce’s table, he says that four years have passed without judgement on any constitutional appeal, with the Supreme Court’s overall case clearance rate being at 10%.
“With great respect, Hon.Chief Justice, this is a systematic erosion of justice.”
He adds that the seemingly passive maintenance of “obnoxious injunctions” against judgements of the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court represents a dangerous precedent.
“It suggests an imbalance where government interests are consistently prioritized over constitutional principles and citizens’ rights. It is a systematic undermining of judicial independence. Each passing month such obnoxious injunctions remain in place, is another month our legal system loses credibility.”
According to Ssemakadde, citizens have demanded accountability for the Supreme Court’s delayed ruling on prosecuting civilians in military courts which he says has refused to come.
“It is a direct assault on human rights that you, Hon Chief Justice are orally and constitutionally obliged to address and repair. The responsibility to restore justice rests squarely on your shoulders , a burden that transcends institutional procedure and speaks to the very heart of judicial integrity.”
“By bringing this to you, I am not merely raising a concern but challenging you to be the catalyst for the systemic transformation our judiciary desperately requires.”
He says it is high time the Supreme Court, as well as the entire judiciary cleaned their beds.
Demanding increased accountability from senior legal officials, including the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, he urged that these are held to the same standards as ordinary citizens.
“No one should be above the law,” he said.
