Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly condemned the Uganda People’s Defence Force over Monday’s military raid on Wakiso Police Station, describing the incident as an “illegal and unconstitutional assault” by armed personnel who reportedly held the District Police Commander at gunpoint.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 3, the ULS demanded full accountability for the attack and the restoration of police supremacy in line with constitutional provisions and further called for the immediate disbandment of the Presidential Task Force on Land Matters and Environment, which it blames for the operation.
“The Uganda Law Society unequivocally condemns the military’s brazen assault on Wakiso Police Station, where armed personnel yesterday recklessly stormed the station, placing the District Police Commander at gunpoint,” said ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony.
“We demand the immediate disbandment of the unconstitutional Presidential Task Force on Land Matters and Environment, swift accountability for the perpetrators, and restoration of civilian law enforcement supremacy in terms of Articles 208(2), 212, and 120(3) of the Constitution,” he added.
The ULS, which now brands itself under the “Radical New Bar” movement, accuses the military of blatantly overstepping its constitutional mandate and undermining the rule of law.
“The UPDF must respect its constitutional mandate and refrain from interfering in civilian affairs,” Asiimwe added, warning that the legal fraternity would “fiercely resist any attempts to undermine the rule of law and democracy.”
The alleged incident, which occurred on Monday, has sparked outrage among legal professionals and civil society actors, with growing calls for Parliament and the Uganda Human Rights Commission to open independent inquiries.
The UPDF, speaking on the incident involving its soldiers, said it is aware of the operation and said implicated officers who went extreme and assaulted the police officers, will be handled with the disciplinary task force of the army.
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