ULS slams ‘two-tier justice system’ after Museveni says MPs in graft case were forgiven after repenting

Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly condemned what it describes as a “two-tier justice system,” following President Yoweri Museveni’s admission that Members of Parliament facing corruption charges were forgiven after “repenting.”

In a sharply worded statement issued on April 10, 2026, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said the President’s remarks have exposed deep-rooted concerns about selective prosecution and executive influence over Uganda’s criminal justice system.

Speaking at the NRM retreat in Kyankwanzi, President Museveni stated that some legislators who had been charged with corruption were pardoned after admitting wrongdoing. “They were arrested and later repented. Once you repent, there is forgiveness… they asked for pardon, and indeed they were pardoned.”

ULS said the statement (by President Museveni) “leaves no room for doubt” that the withdrawal of corruption charges against MPs Yusuf Mutembuli, Paul Akamba, Cissy Namujju, and State Minister Amos Lugolobi was influenced by executive direction.

Ssemakadde did not mince words in its criticism, warning that Uganda’s justice system is increasingly being weaponised. “These events lay bare a deeply troubling reality: Uganda’s criminal justice system has deteriorated into a tool of selective political persecution,” the statement reads.

ULS further argued that the system now operates what it described as a “police-to-prison pipeline” targeting opposition voices and ordinary citizens while shielding politically connected individuals.

“Two Distinct Tracks of Justice”

At the heart of the Society’s concern is what it termed a dual system of justice. “Accountability mechanisms now function on two distinct tracks: one that shields the rich and powerful, and another that crushes ordinary citizens,” ULS stated, saying such disparity undermines Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.

ULS revealed that it had written to Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu on January 7, 2026, seeking an explanation for the nolle prosequi entered in the corruption cases, but has received no response to date.

“The President’s candid admission now supplies the answer the public was never meant to receive,” the statement noted, suggesting that prosecutorial decisions may have been externally influenced.

Pattern of Withdrawn High-Profile Cases

The Society said the trend of withdrawing high-profile corruption cases is not new, citing the 2022 case in which charges against businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and his brother were dropped despite serious allegations. “This pattern of selective mercy is not new,” ULS emphasised.

In contrast, Ssemakadde noted that opposition supporters continue to face prosecution, prolonged detention, and denial of bail. “For them, there is no mercy, no withdrawal of charges, and no presidential ‘review,’” it added.

ULS warned that selective prosecution is undermining the fight against corruption, noting that Uganda loses at least Shs10 trillion annually to graft. “Equal justice under law is not a slogan; it is a high constitutional principle… Uganda deserves no less.”