Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly condemned the decision by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw corruption charges against three ruling party Members of Parliament, describing the move as unconstitutional and an abuse of prosecutorial discretion.
In a statement issued on January 7, 2026, ULS said it was “deeply concerned by the arbitrary withdrawal of corruption charges without any explanation to the public” after the DPP entered a nolle prosequi in the case involving Yusuf Mutembuli (Elgon County), Paul Akamba (Busiki Constituency) and Cissy Namujju (Lwengo Woman MP).
The MPs in question had been charged over allegations of demanding a 20 percent kickback from the budget of the Uganda Human Rights Commission in order to unlawfully influence parliamentary budgetary decisions.
Reacting to the DPP move, ULS said the withdrawal was particularly alarming given that the Chairperson of the Commission, Mariam Wangadya, had already testified in court as Prosecution Witness No. 1 and had pointed to the existence of audio recordings allegedly capturing the solicitation of bribes by the accused legislators.
“The withdrawal of charges is particularly alarming given that the Chairperson of the Commission previously testified in court and indicated the existence of audio recordings allegedly capturing the solicitation of bribes,” ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony stated.
While acknowledging that the DPP is empowered under Article 120(3)(d) of the Constitution to discontinue criminal proceedings, Asiimwe stressed that “this power must be exercised in the public interest and in the interests of justice”, as required under Article 120(5).
The lawyers’ body warned that “the unexplained withdrawal of a serious corruption case violates the constitutional duty to combat corruption under Article 17(1)(a)”, arguing that prosecutorial discretion should never be used to shield powerful actors from accountability.
Mr Asiimwe further pointed to a pattern of similar withdrawals in high-profile corruption cases, citing the 2022 decision by then DPP Jane Frances Abodo to drop corruption charges against businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba—charges that were justified on grounds of ongoing investigations but were never reinstated.
“This recurring pattern fuels a legitimate and unavoidable public perception of selective justice,” ULS said, adding that “members of the NRM are insulated from accountability while the law is weaponised against opposition and civil society actors.”
Asiimwe demanded that there has to be “a clear, public and reasoned explanation from the Office of the DPP”, insisting that “the people of Uganda are entitled to answers and the State must be accountable”
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