Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners, warning that their continued detention could undermine the country’s democratic future.
Speaking during the ULS weekly press briefing in Kampala on Thursday, the society’s General Secretary Babu Ssali expressed concern over unresolved issues stemming from the 2016 Ugandan general elections.
“Following the 2016 elections, the Radical New Bar Governing Council set out clear priorities to address national challenges. These included the immediate release of political prisoners, the resignation of Electoral Commission leadership, lifting suspensions on civil society organisations, initiating national dialogue on democratic transition, and pursuing accountability for electoral violence—including proceedings at the International Criminal Court,” Ssali said.
He noted that many of these priorities remain unaddressed, describing the continued detention of political prisoners as the most urgent concern. Ssali warned that their imprisonment risks being used as a political tool and characterised the situation as a “ticking time bomb” for the country.
With Eid al-Fitr celebrations scheduled for Friday, Ssali urged President Yoweri Museveni to demonstrate leadership by ordering their release.
“Tomorrow is Eid — a day of mercy, compassion and reflection. Yet none of the political prisoners has been released. We call upon the President to demonstrate wisdom, courage and a true commitment to the rule of law by ordering their immediate and unconditional release,” he said.
Ssali added that if government fails to act, the ULS would continue to stand with the families and communities of those detained and demand justice on their behalf.
He also warned that as the presidential swearing-in scheduled for May approaches, the society is prepared to take stronger action, including peaceful demonstrations.
“We are prepared to act lawfully but firmly to ensure that the inauguration does not proceed while political prisoners remain behind bars. If necessary, we will lay down our gowns, walk into the streets and peacefully demonstrate our dissatisfaction with the continued violation of fundamental rights,” he said.
