By Aggrey Baba
When a tree is young, its full height is not easily foreseen. The story of Lukwago and Caleb Alaka, two bright young lawyers who first crossed paths at Campus, mirrors this wisdom.
In 1999, they were entrusted with an unexpected challenge, of defending George Patrick Bageya, the controversial “President of Iganga,” during his impeachment proceedings. Despite their lack of experience, they stepped up to the challenge, proving their worth as Bageya’s adversaries faltered.
Ugandans, known for their candidness, had doubted the wisdom of placing such a significant case in the hands of novices. Yet, like a seed that becomes a mighty tree, this bold decision paid off, and their reputation in the Ugandan legal landscape began to grow.
Over the years, the partnership between Lukwago and Alaka evolved into two formidable legal firms, of Lukwago and Co. Advocates, and Alaka and Co. Advocates. Their firms became the trusted sanctuary for politicians and public figures facing legal battles.
With learned allies like Medard Ssegona and Muyizi Samuel Mulindwa, their practice expanded to include not only election petitions and legal defenses but also fierce opposition to the use of military courts to try civilians.
This stance was grounded in personal experience, for both Lukwago and Alaka had themselves been victims of such practices.
In 2005, as they represented Dr. Kizza Besigye, they were detained for seven hours by the Military Court Martial under the leadership of Late Gen.Elly Tumwine. They were convicted, without a fair hearing for obstructing court proceedings, a stark example of how civilians had been subjected to military justice. [He who laughs last, laughs best], as the proverb goes, and indeed, two decades later, the resilience of these two lawyers has seen them play an instrumental role in advocating for justice and reform.
Their fight against the use of military tribunals for civilians, however, has not been without resistance. For years, the practice persisted, and the duo has relentlessly fought to bring the matter to light, often facing an uphill battle.
This brings us to the historic ruling by Uganda’s Supreme Court on January 31, 2025, declaring that civilians should not be charged in military courts. This decision marks a significant victory for human rights and justice in Uganda, and for Lukwago and Alaka, it is a triumph of their decades-long fight.
The ruling echoes their long-standing legal struggle against the unlawful trials of civilians by military courts, a cause they have championed through thick and thin.
But their fight is far from over. Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke has raised concerns on her official Facebook page about the potential disregard for this landmark ruling by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). “Through one Magezi, who is ironically spouting nonsense, the UPDF has threatened to disregard the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling,” she warned. “If they follow through, the officers and men in UPDF would have officially overthrown the Government of Uganda, and that will have its own dynamics.”
As the wise say, [When the frog in the well starts speaking of the sea, know the rains have come]. The unfolding legal challenges facing Uganda could either fortify the country’s institutions or unravel them. The wisdom of Lukwago and Alaka, honed over years of advocating for justice, remains crucial in guiding the nation through these stormy waters, as they continue to fight for the rights of civilians and uphold the rule of law.
Only time will reveal how far their tree has grown, and how deep its roots have become in shaping Uganda’s legal future. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
