By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) Chief Executive Officer, Christine Awori, has lodged a formal complaint alleging obstruction of access to justice and interference with judicial proceedings at a High Court mobile criminal session held in Ggaba.
In her communication to the Chief Inspector of Courts, Christine Awori, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Law Society, accused court and security officials of blocking ULS representatives from accessing the Presiding Judge in Criminal Case No. 132 of 2026, Uganda v Christopher Okello Onyum, during proceedings held at the Ggaba Community Church grounds.
Awori said the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, when ULS officials were allegedly prevented from engaging the court regarding a pending human rights enforcement application filed by the Society against the Attorney General. The application challenges the legality of the mobile court session and raises constitutional concerns over fair hearing rights, judicial independence, and access to justice.
According to the complaint, officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Tom Magambo, alongside the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division, Samuel Twakirye, denied ULS representatives entry to the proceedings. The lawyers were reportedly escorted off the premises under police guard and warned against returning.
Awori described the conduct as “unmitigated obstruction” and a violation of statutory safeguards under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, arguing that it undermines both constitutional guarantees and the Uganda Law Society’s mandate to support the administration of justice.
The ULS further argues that the Ggaba mobile court arrangement itself is unlawful, claiming it was convened under executive influence and operated in a manner that compromised judicial independence. The Society also objects to holding criminal proceedings in a public church venue, citing risks to impartiality and fair trial rights.
Awori’s letter calls for urgent intervention by the Inspectorate of Courts to restore access for legal representatives, secure a hearing date for the Society’s application, and halt what it terms irregular court operations outside established judicial premises.
The complaint references prior constitutional jurisprudence condemning parallel or irregular court structures as inconsistent with Uganda’s constitutional order.
The Judiciary, police leadership, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have not yet publicly responded to the allegations. For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
