By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has accused the government of applying the law unfairly, saying Uganda now has “two justice systems” — one that protects the powerful and another that punishes ordinary citizens.
Ssemakadde, President of the Uganda Law Society, made the remarks in a statement released on April 10. His comments came after statements by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a ruling NRM party retreat in Kyankwanzi.
At the meeting, President Museveni said some ruling party Members of Parliament who had been charged with corruption were forgiven after they admitted wrongdoing.
“They were arrested and later repented. Once you repent, there is forgiveness,” Museveni said. He added that the leaders asked for pardon and were pardoned.
The MPs include Cissy Namujju, Paul Akamba, Yusuf Mutembuli, and Amos Lugolobi, whose corruption cases were earlier dropped by prosecutors.
Mutembuli represents Bunyole East Constituency Butaleja district, Akamba represents Busiki County South, while Hon. Namujju is the Woman Member of Parliament for Lwengo District
Ssemakadde says this shows that powerful people are treated differently.
“The truth is clear,” he said. “If you are powerful, you are forgiven. If you are ordinary, you are punished.”
The Law Society had earlier asked the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzu, to explain why the cases were withdrawn, but no response was given.
He also pointed to an earlier case where businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and his brother Muzamiru Basajjabalaba had their corruption charges dropped in 2022 by former DPP Jane Frances Abodo.
Meanwhile, Ssemakadde says many opposition supporters and ordinary Ugandans remain in jail, often for long periods and without fair treatment.
“There is no forgiveness for them,” he said. “They face the full force of the law.”
The Uganda Law Society says this goes against the Constitution, which promises equal treatment for all citizens.
Ssemakadde warned that public trust in the justice system is falling. He also said corruption continues to cost the country huge amounts of money every year.
He is now calling for changes to make the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions independent from government control.
“Ugandans deserve equal justice,” he said. “The law must work the same for everyone.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com). 
