A lawyer representing clients in a high-stakes treason case has been slapped with a related charge, sources confirm, in a move that raises serious questions about judicial independence in Uganda. The attorney, whose name is being withheld for legal reasons, was arrested yesterday evening and formally charged this morning under the same anti-terrorism laws his clients are facing. Court documents obtained by this desk reveal the charge stems from an alleged statement made during a private consultation with a client.
Prosecutors claim the lawyer advised the client to 'deny everything' and 'keep quiet about the meetings' a phrase now being interpreted as obstruction of justice. But legal experts say this is a dangerous precedent. 'This is not about seeking justice, it is about silencing dissent,' a Kampala-based human rights lawyer told me, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
The case has drawn international scrutiny, with the US State Department and EU missions in Kampala issuing statements expressing concern. The lawyer's clients include a prominent opposition figure and a journalist, both accused of plotting to overthrow the government. The accused lawyer is expected to apply for bail tomorrow, but given the political sensitivity, sources say the chances are slim.
The trial is set to begin in two weeks, but with the lawyer now facing charges himself, the defence team is scrambling for a replacement. This development comes just days after a leaked internal memo from the Ugandan judiciary suggested pressure from the executive branch to secure convictions in high-profile cases. The memo, which I have reviewed, warns judges against showing 'leniency to enemies of the state.
' The judiciary has denied the memo's authenticity, but sources within the courts have confirmed its existence. This is a story about power and its abuse. The lawyer, a veteran of dozens of human rights cases, now finds himself on the other side of the bench.
The message is clear: cross the line and you will be crushed. For now, the legal community watches and waits. But if this charge stands, it will mark a chilling new chapter in Uganda's fight for justice.
