KAMPALA – Acts of shocking gun violence as well as brutality of citizens dominated the second quarter of the Uganda Law Society – ULS’ State of Rule of Law Report.
ULS publishes a periodical report to show the legal fraternity’s commitment towards monitoring and addressing all significant breaches of the rule of law in the country as well as safeguarding the foundations of justice, fairness and equality.
In the report, which ULS President Bernard Oundo launched on Friday in Kampala – highlighting events that happened from April to June 2023, indication of several human rights violations and freedoms among, which are the freedom to assemble and the right to life were emphasised.
The murders in Kyanja of the former Minister for Labour and Employment Charles Okello Engola, whom his official body guard Wilson Sabiiti shot dead on May 2, 2023 and another shooting of blogger Ibrahim Tusubira aka Jajja Iculi four days later as well as the killing of an Indian Money lender Utta Bhandari by PC John Wabwire were condemned.
The report also condemned the murder of Ben Amaku – a security guard attached to Security Group Africa, which occurred on May 13, 2023 after being shot dead by unknown assailants along Rhino Camp Road in Baruku Cell.
It also highlighted the aggravated robbery of vendors by four gunmen dressed in UPDF uniform in Kayunga.
The report emphasised on other murders cases – including that of their own member Ronnie Mukisa and the shooting of John Okudi – a security guard attached to Saracen Uganda Ltd allegedly by Moses Okedi following a disagreement in senior quarters in Amagoro Central Ward in Tororo Municipality where they had been deployed.
The 43 page-report further condemned the tragic attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe Kasese on June 16, 2023 where more than 40 students were burnt to death and others abducted by the suspected Allied Democratic Forces -ADF rebels.
On brutality, the ULS report has pointed out the suspension of Makerere and Kyambogo government sponsored University students who were involved in protests against their delayed allowances and the arrest of medical interns, and the subsequent brutal raid on Sheikh Yunus Kamoga’s residence in Tula Kawempe where many of his family members were arrested in a brutal manner.
The ULS urged the Parliament to consider the passing of the Minimum Wage Bill – saying it had been alleged that most police officers were poorly remunerated and they could be behaving as such due to frustration and problems faced by them.
The ULS president Oundo has also recommended the need for a complete overhaul of the entire police system so as to promote a more efficient and effective system.
The report urges government to strengthen security measures and enhance intelligence efforts to prevent further attacks especially on learning Institutions.
The ULS report pronounced its position on the issuance of the May 19 2023 Executive Orders by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the banning of commercial charcoal production and expulsion of the Baraaro herdsmen in Northern Uganda.
The order has since raised mixed reactions from legal brains including the Attorney General who has since come out to state that the President has the said powers by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution.
But ULS recommended that in future whenever the President, in the exercise of his Constitutional mandate identifies key issues with respect to social welfare that requires legislation, the issue should be sent to Parliament for it to take action in order to respect the doctrine of separation of powers since the August House is vested with powers to legislate.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Senior Superintendent of Police Isiah Igumira attached of the Criminal Investigations Department – CID of Police said that as investigators they were ready to handle and resolve each crime case committed in the country.
He noted however that many people including lawyers were dishonest – concealing vital information that could have assisted investigators in their line of duty. Igumira has thus called for cooperation from the general public so as to fight all the injustices as a society.
