Politics 24 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Leaders Caution Government on Constitutionalism Erosion
Prominent figures, including a former Supreme Court judge and political leaders, have voiced concerns over the government's actions potentially undermining constitutionalism and the rule of law in Uganda. They emphasized the need for respect for legal institutions and tolerance of dissenting opinions. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/leaders-warn-govt-against-eroding-constitutionalism-5608180
Political leaders, legal experts, and civil society members have issued a stern warning to the Ugandan government regarding actions that could erode constitutionalism, stating such tendencies pose a significant threat to the nation’s democracy. The concerns were raised during the second Sam Kalega Njuba, SC Memorial Lecture at the Uganda Law Society (ULS) on September 24.
Speakers stressed that institutions, particularly the judiciary and security forces, must uphold the rule of law and ensure fair treatment for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde highlighted that constitutionalism necessitates the government itself remaining subordinate to the law, with institutions operating independently.
Former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, currently in exile, pointed out that the true measure of the rule of law is tested during challenging times, not when obeying the law is convenient. He asserted that court orders are binding and that public office is a trust, not a personal possession.
Robert Kyagulanyi, president of NUP, in a statement read by his secretary general, emphasized the reality of political persecution and its impact on Ugandans, drawing parallels to the abduction and disappearance of human rights activists. He lauded the late Sam Kalega Njuba as a principled fighter for the rule of law.
Former Supreme Court judge Esther Kitimbo Kisaakye urged the government to be more tolerant of divergent political views. She acknowledged the suffering of those who hold dissenting opinions and the families mourning missing loved ones, allegedly taken by security forces.
Mugisha Muntu, president of ANT, remembered Njuba as a lawyer driven by a calling to serve justice, rather than by personal gain or prestige. The lecture, themed “the rule of law in the shadow of political persecution in Uganda,” served as a tribute to the late ULS president’s legacy.
This article is based on information from the Daily Monitor.