KAMPALA– The Vice President of Uganda of Uganda Law Society, Anthony Asiimwe condemned the delay by High Court judge Acellam Collins to issue a Habeas corpus for the release of Uganda Federal Alliance President Lugya Kayingo.
“The court, after an unaccep
table two-week delay, today ordered the production of Mr. Robert Lugya Kayingo by 9:00 AM on 8th August 2025, following his alleged unlawful detention at Entebbe International Airport on 17 July 2025. Mr. Kayingo had arrived on flight KQ420 from Nairobi, after traveling from Johannesburg on flight KQ765. Such inordinate delay in an ex parte application, which demands immediate action under the Judicature (Habeas Corpus) Rules (S.I. 13-6), is indefensible and undermines the constitutional guarantee of liberty. Remarked Assimwe.
He went ahead and expressed profound concern over persistent delays in handling habeas corpus and other liberty- preservation cases within the Civil Division, contravening Articles 23, 28(1), and 44 of the Constitution of Uganda and the Judicature Act Cap. 16. “Notable examples include the unresolved case of ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde v. Hashim Mugisha, Miscellaneous Application 137 of 2025, where a stay of execution against a manifestly void contempt conviction and two-year sentence remains pending since 20 February 2025.”
ULS also expressed disappointment that the Head of the Civil Division has not convened a Bar-Bench meeting to address these systemic issues since she took charge in April 2025, despite repeated requests from the ULS Council.
Call for Action
Immediate issuance of writs ex parte upon prima facie evidence of unlawful detention, as provided under Section 38 of the Judicature Act.
Prompt execution of production orders without delays pending submissions or service.
Urgent convening of a Bar-Bench forum to tackle systemic bottlenecks at the Civil Division.
Swift resolution of all pending habeas corpus and liberty-preservation applications, including longstanding cases such as those of President Isaac Ssemakadde and Adv. Eron Kiiza.
The ULS strongly condemns the rampant practice of enforced disappearance, a grave violation of human rights that erodes public trust in the rule of law. We urge the courts to respond decisively by prioritizing habeas corpus applications and enforcing accountability to curb this alarming trend.
The ULS calls on the public to remain vigilant and support efforts for a fair, transparent, and efficient judicial system.
