The Constitutional Court, in a landmark ruling, dismissed a petition brought by a one Jackson Ntwatwa challenging the court’s jurisdiction to handle interlocutory applications. The decision, delivered yesterday by a panel of five justices— Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Justice Cheborion Barishaki, Justice Muzamiru M. Kibedi, Justice Irene Mulyagonja, and Justice Christopher Gashirabake—clarified the court’s authority and…
Atkins Godfrey Katusabe, the MP for Bukonzo West in Kasese district, has won a legal battle against telecom giant, MTN, after it deactivated his simcard due to what it called discrepancies in his indentification documents. Katusabe is the husband to Sarah Opendi, the vocal woman MP for Tororo. Justice David S.L. Makumbi of the High…
If you are a heavily indebted businessperson in Uganda, sinking under the weight of a bank loan with no hope of repaying it, what do you do? For many, they would let the bank foreclose their mortgaged properties and lick their wounds. But if you are of the stature of Hamis Kiggundu, Patrick Bitature, Amos…
In 2024, Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka, filed a private prosecution in the Chief Magistrate’s Court at the Anti-Corruption Division against Speaker Anita Annet Among. Mabirizi alleged that Among was engaged in money laundering given the number of properties and other items like vehicles that the speaker owned. Among had just hosted several MPs at her palatial…
On the morning of Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Claire Nassali Mugabi, as always, woke up to prepare to go to her workplace. She made a pick of clothes she was going to wear (she favoured Orange tops), applied her usual thick red lipstick. As she was heading out of her house, a WhatsApp message flashed…
In newly released video footage, Justice Lydia Mugambe was seen pleading with a police officer who had come to arrest her over the suspicion of forcing a young woman to work for her. The officer says: “So, unfortunately I am gonna now arrest you on suspicion of keeping someone in slavery and servitude under the…
Justice Lydia Mugambe could face life imprisonment in the United Kingdom after she was found guilty of “forcing a young woman to work as a slave” by a UK Court. Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe “took advantage of her status” over her victim by preventing her from holding down steady employment while forcing her to work…
Justice Lydia Mugambe, who faces slavery charges in the UK yesterday denied trafficking a young woman from Uganda to work as her slave. According to British media reports, Mugambe, 49, appeared at Oxford Crown Court where she was accused of taking advantage of the alleged victim in the “most egregious way.” Charges relate to Mugambe’s…
Molly Katanga, who is facing murder charges at the High Court, was last week denied bail for the third time, despite her deteriorating medical condition. Justice Rosette Comfort Kania ruled on Thursday that the seriousness of the murder charge against her outweighed any personal circumstances. The judge said she should stand trial while on remand,…
A family law expert Dr. Diana Musoke has warned that the Marriage Bill, 2024 has the potential to destroy the institution of marriage if enacted into law. Dr. Musoke said the proposals in the bill seek to discourage the country’s long held perception on the purpose for which marriages exist. She questioned why the Bill…
The friction between Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde and High Court judge Musa Ssekaana has escalated into one of the most high-profile legal battles in Uganda’s recent history. On Friday, Ssekaana sentenced Ssemakadde to a two-year prison sentence for contempt of court, deepening the conflict and polarising the legal fraternity. Ssemakadde, who was…
Justice Musa Ssekaana has sentenced Isaac Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), to two years in prison for contempt of court. Ssemakadde had been accused of using abusive and insulting statements against Ssekaana on social media. The case emanates from a case filed by Mugisha Hashim Mugisha against Ssemakadde. It is alleged…
Outgoing Principal Judge Flavian Zeija is the new deputy chief justice replacing Richard Buteera who retired last year. Zeija’s appointment is among a raft of judicial changes announced by President Museveni yesterday. The president also elevated Muzamiru Kibeedi to the Supreme Court and appointed eight Justices of the Court of Appeal, and 21 acting judges of…
One of the key moments lost in the excitement of the historic ruling by the Supreme Court on Friday was the reunion of two legal minds—Caleb Alaka and Erias Lukwago, who started out in the legal profession together. The two, who had once formed a formidable legal partnership before parting ways in 2005 due to…
President Museveni has criticized the decision by the Supreme Court barring the trial of civilians in the army courts saying it is a wrong one. In a terse statement posted on his X handle, the president insisted that trying civilians in the court martial is aimed at defending people against criminals armed with guns. The…
Elison Karuhanga, a senior advocate and partner at Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA) has welcomed the Supreme Court decision outlawing the trial of civilians in army courts saying it was long overdue. Speaking to Bbeg Media moments after the ruling, Karuhanga said for a long the Uganda Law Society and other entities had made the argument…
The Supreme Court today dismissed an appeal lodged by the government over the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial (GCM). The government had challenged a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld that it was “unconstitutional” for civilians to be tried in the army courts. Michael Kabaziguruka, the former Nakawa MP had petitioned the Constitutional…
