Kampala– The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw corruption-related charges against three National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators, describing the move as troubling and demanding public accountability.
The charges were dropped on Tuesday through a nolle prosequi, freeing Hon. Cissy Namujju, a Woman Member of Parliament representing Lwengo district, Hon. Yusuf Mutembuli represents Bunyole East Constituency and Hon. Akamba Paul represents Busiki County South Constituency in Parliament who had been facing allegations of corruption.
In a statement issued by ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, the Society expressed alarm over the withdrawal, noting that the case had already advanced substantially.
“The withdrawal of charges is particularly alarming given that the Chairperson of the Commission, Hon. Mariam Wangadya, previously testified in court as Prosecution Witness No. 1 and indicated the existence of audio recordings allegedly capturing the solicitation of bribes by the accused Members of Parliament,” the statement reads in part.
Asiimwe acknowledged that the DPP is constitutionally empowered under Article 120(3)(d) to discontinue criminal proceedings, but stressed that this power must be exercised judiciously.
“That power must be exercised in the public interest and in the interest of justice, as required by Article 120(5) of the Constitution,” he emphasized.
ULS further decried what it termed double standards in the administration of justice, drawing parallels to a 2022 case in which then DPP Jane Frances Abodo withdrew corruption charges against businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba. Those charges included forgery of judicial documents, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to defeat tax laws.
According to ULS, the withdrawal in that case was justified on grounds that investigations were ongoing and that the matter would be reinstated — a justification that has since raised serious concerns about consistency and transparency.
The Society warned that the DPP’s power to withdraw charges must never be used as a shield for impunity, nor as a political escape route for powerful individuals where credible evidence exists.
“Where evidentiary material exists, the public is entitled to transparency and accountability,” the statement added.
ULS is now demanding a clear, public, and reasoned explanation from the Office of the DPP regarding the decision to withdraw the charges.
“The people of Uganda are entitled to answers, and the State must be accountable,” the statement concludes.
The three legislators had been facing corruption charges stemming from allegations that on May 13, 2024, they solicited a bribe from Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).
Prosecutors alleged that the Members of Parliament, demanded 20 percent of the anticipated UHRC budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, promising in return to use their influence on Parliament’s Budget Committee to secure an increased allocation for the Commission.
