Kampala, Uganda | URN | The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned President Yoweri Museveni over comments he made about Dr. Kizza Besigye’s ongoing treason trial and his renewed proposal to abolish bail, saying the rem…
The story
Kampala, Uganda | URN | The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned President Yoweri Museveni over comments he made about Dr. Kizza Besigye’s ongoing treason trial and his renewed proposal to abolish bail, saying the remarks amount to executive interference in the administration of justice.
In a televised national address on Saturday evening, President Museveni accused Besigye of delaying his own trial by repeatedly challenging the court process instead of defending himself against the charges.
Details
The President questioned why an accused person should be allowed to postpone trial for an extended period, arguing that the opposition politician should use the proceedings to prove his innocence if he believes the charges are politically motivated.
He also criticized the continued granting of bail in serious criminal cases, saying suspects who intimidate witnesses should not easily be released pending trial.
However, in a statement issued shortly after the President’s address, the Uganda Law Society said Museveni’s comments on an active criminal case violated the sub judice principle and risked prejudicing Besigye’s right to a fair hearing.
The statement, signed by ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde, called on the Chief Justice, the Judiciary’s top management and judicial associations to publicly denounce what it described as executive interference with the courts.
“The President’s address constitutes clear sub judice contempt of court,” the statement said, arguing that his comments publicly speculated on the motives, conduct and merits of a case that is still before the courts.
The lawyers’ body further argued that the President’s renewed criticism of bail amounted to an attack on constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and the presumption of innocence under Articles 23 and 28 of the Constitution.
How other sources reported it
Independent Uganda also reported on the story, highlighting that kampala, uganda | urn | president museveni has defended the government’s opposition to granting bail to some opposition figures facing criminal charges
Nile Post also reported on the story, highlighting that the uganda law society (uls) has called on the judiciary to publicly and unequivocally condemn president yoweri museveni's remarks on the pending treason trial of veteran opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate dr. kizza besigye, as well as his…
Why it matters
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