In Summary: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for transparency and respect for constitutional rights following the arrest of retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, warning against a repeat of alleged procedural irregularities witnessed in the Besigye case.
Kampala, Uganda — The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has demanded transparency and respect for constitutional rights following the arrest of retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, warning authorities against procedural abuses and interference with legal representation.
In a statement dated November 3, 2026, the lawyers’ body said it was concerned about the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s arrest in Soroti City on the evening of November 2, following public statements by the Chief of Defence Forces alleging subversive activities and plans to destabilise the Teso sub-region, alongside reports of the recovery of arms and other items.
ULS President and Head of the Bar, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, said the Constitution and international standards must be respected regardless of an individual’s identity, rank, reputation or public controversy.
The society cited Article 23 of the Constitution, which protects personal liberty and requires that anyone arrested or detained be held in a legally authorised place, informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and their right to a lawyer of their choice.
It further emphasised that arrested persons must be brought before a court as soon as possible, and in any event not later than 48 hours, while being allowed reasonable access to their next-of-kin, lawyer and personal doctor.
ULS also invoked the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) and corresponding International Bar Association standards, which require governments to protect lawyers from intimidation, harassment and improper interference in the execution of their professional duties.
The society said lawyers should not be identified with the causes of their clients or subjected to prosecution and sanctions for actions undertaken in accordance with recognised professional duties, standards and ethics.
It warned that it would not tolerate a repeat of what it described as patterns witnessed in the Besigye matter and related proceedings, including obstacles to chosen counsel, interference with legal teams, opaque processes and erosion of fair-trial safeguards.
“We reiterate our longstanding concern that the Judiciary and Government have too often failed adequately to protect lawyers discharging their professional duties,” the statement reads.
ULS further invited Elwelu’s next-of-kin, lawyer and personal doctor to its offices at Kololo for coordinated engagement on protective measures and joint strategies to guard against possible impunity or procedural abuse by his accusers or state actors.
The society said constitutional protections apply equally to everyone, regardless of public opinion about the individual concerned, and questioned whether the investigation leading to Elwelu’s arrest had been conducted fairly and lawfully.
It demanded full disclosure of the legal basis and circumstances of his detention, the existence of probable cause, his place of detention, access to legal representation and family, and his timely production before a competent court.
ULS also condemned what it described as trial by media, warning that public pronouncements presuming guilt, stripping individuals of their ranks outside established legal processes or prejudging the outcome of court proceedings undermine the rule of law.
The society said it stood ready to monitor compliance with constitutional and international standards and support the independent and professional discharge of lawyers’ duties. “The rule of law is not a privilege reserved for the popular or the powerful; it is the minimum guarantee for every person,” Ssemakadde said.
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