On 17th July 2026, Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L), together with the International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk (OIAD), the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU), the Uganda Law Society (ULS), and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), submitted a joint report for the fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Uganda. The review will take place during the 54th UPR Working Group session in January–February 2027.
Background and scope of the submission
This submission is based on information received from lawyers practising in Uganda and research carried out by the submitting organisations, focusing on the following thematic areas:
- Lack of independence of the judiciary;
- Laws and regulations undermining the independence of the legal profession;
- Barriers to practice preventing lawyers from effectively representing clients;
- Systemic persecution of lawyers.
Failure to implement previous UPR recommendations
The submission raises serious concerns about the deteriorating state of the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession in Uganda. During its 3rd cycle UPR review in January 2022, the Ugandan Government supported 15 recommendations related to judicial independence, due process, and the protection of civic space. This submission demonstrates that the supported recommendations have not been implemented, and the environment for legal practitioners has grown increasingly hostile.
Erosion of judicial independence
Since the last review, executive interference has heavily compromised the judiciary. The formal appointment structure concentrates significant power in the President, allowing executive influence over the composition of the bench. Security and government agencies routinely defy court orders, while public executive statements have directly attacked judicial discretion.
Judicial officers who rule against government interests face severe reprisals. This is starkly illustrated by Supreme Court Justice Esther Kisaakye, who was administratively sidelined and targeted with deficient disciplinary proceedings after delivering a dissenting election petition opinion against the President, ultimately forcing her to flee the country due to credible threats to her life.
Legislative restrictions and barriers to effective legal representation
The report documents a series of broadly drafted laws directly squeezing the legal profession:
- The UPDF (Amendment) Act, 2025: Enacted to deliberately reverse a landmark Supreme Court ruling, this Act restores military court jurisdiction over civilians, forcing defense lawyers to appear before panels operating within the military chain of command.
- The NGO Act, Cap. 109: Grants unchecked bureaucratic powers to suspend or deregister civil society organisations, directly impacting legal aid and human rights defenders ahead of electoral periods.
- The Anti-Homosexuality Act, Cap. 117: Contains sweeping “promotion” clauses that heighten the risk of prosecution for lawyers who accept instructions to advocate for LGBT clients.
Furthermore, lawyers face severe operational barriers. Practitioners are routinely blocked from accessing military courts to see clients, defense teams are denied confidential client communication, and prominent figures have been held incommunicado without access to legal counsel. High courts have even ruled that high-profile treason trials will proceed regardless of whether defendants have access to the counsel of their choice.
Attacks, threats, and persecution of lawyers
The submission documents a profound pattern of physical violence, arbitrary arrest, and judicial harassment targeting lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases:
- Defense lawyer Eron Kiiza was physically assaulted by military personnel, arrested inside a military court building, and summarily sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment while attempting to represent his client.
- Prominent counsel Erias Lukwago was abducted from his home by armed military personnel without a warrant, held incommunicado, and targeted with charges arising from his legal defense work.
- Civil society lawyers, including Ms Eunice Musiime and Dr Sarah Bireete, have faced targeted security raids, arbitrary detention, and interrogations.
- Bar leadership has also been targeted; ULS President Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in his absence following his public advocacy for judicial reform.
In almost all documented cases of assault, illegal searches, and intimidation, public authorities have failed to investigate, fueling an environment of total impunity.
Recommendations
In light of these developments, the report puts forward urgent recommendations to the Ugandan Government to align with international standards on human rights and the rule of law:
- Ensure that lawyers can perform their professional duties without intimidation, harassment, interference, or the risk of sanctions on account of the clients they represent.
- End the use of military courts to try civilians where ordinary courts have jurisdiction, in accordance with international standards.
- Guarantee prompt, effective, and confidential access to counsel for all persons deprived of their liberty, strictly respecting legal professional privilege.
- Conduct independent, impartial, and effective investigations into all allegations of arbitrary arrests, violence, and intimidation targeting lawyers, holding perpetrators accountable.
- Ensure that public authorities and military officials refrain from statements that undermine the presumption of innocence, intimidate lawyers, or identify counsel with their clients’ causes.
Read the full submission here.
