)
)
Lawyers under the Uganda Law Society are taking a stand against President Yoweri Museveni’s New Year directive to ban police bond and court bail for suspected petty criminals.
In his national address, the President argued that such measures were necessary to combat rising petty crimes, including coffee theft, which he said were undermining Uganda's economic gains, particularly in the coffee sector.
Museveni stated, “I have banned bond for petty criminals because I have authority over the police as Commander in Chief.”
He also called on the judiciary to cease granting bail to suspects, citing the successful implementation of similar measures in the Karamoja region, which he credited for restoring peace there.
)
)
)
ULS Condemns the Ban
In a strongly worded press statement, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde criticised Museveni’s directive, labelling it unconstitutional and a breach of fundamental human rights.
“This move contravenes Articles 23, 28(3)(a), and 99 of the Constitution and serves as a stark reminder of the colonial legacy of repression and mass incarceration,” the statement read.
Ssemakadde argued that banning police bond and bail would exacerbate prison congestion, perpetuate injustice, and disproportionately target the poor and vulnerable.
He called for thorough investigations and fair prosecution instead of arbitrary arrests.
“It is time to break the police-to-prison pipeline and forge a new path that prioritises justice, equality, and human rights,” he urged.
Call for a Balanced Approach
The ULS urged the government to focus on addressing socio-economic challenges that drive youth into crime, such as unemployment and lack of education, rather than punitive measures.
They also demanded greater accountability from police and judicial officers to ensure fair treatment of suspects.