Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has petitioned the High Court Criminal Division for an urgent hearing and immediate stay of proceedings in a high-profile murder case, citing alleged violations of fundamental constitutional rights.
In a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, the presiding judge of the Criminal Division, the Society formally requested judicial intervention in Criminal Court Session No. 132 of 2026 — Uganda vs Christopher Okello Onyum.
The application stems from the ongoing trial of Christopher Okello Onyum, who is linked to the recent Ggaba day care murder case in which four young children were killed, a case that has shocked the country.
Signed by ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, the letter references Miscellaneous Application No. 170 of 2026 — Uganda Law Society vs Attorney General — a human rights enforcement suit filed through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System.
According to the Society, the application raises questions over alleged violations of multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 21(1), 38, 28(3)(a), 28(3)(c), 43, 44(c), 128(1), and 128(2).
Citing Section 8(1) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, 2019, ULS argues that the court is under a mandatory obligation to halt proceedings where a constitutional issue arises.
The provision states that where a question emerges regarding the violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the presiding judge must immediately stay proceedings and determine that question before the case can proceed.
On that basis, the Society is seeking both a stay of the criminal trial and the allocation of an urgent hearing date to determine the human rights concerns raised.
The Act, enacted to operationalise Article 50 of the Constitution, provides a broad legal framework for enforcing rights and freedoms.
It allows individuals, organisations, and public interest actors to file suits on behalf of affected persons, including those unable to act in their own name.
It also lowers procedural barriers by removing the requirement for statutory notice and directs courts not to dismiss cases on technicalities, emphasising substantive justice over form.
Under the same law, courts are empowered to grant a wide range of remedies where violations are established. These include compensation, restitution, rehabilitation, and public accountability measures such as apologies and disclosure of facts. Courts may also impose sanctions on individuals or institutions found responsible.
Importantly, the law allows courts to grant bail to an accused person where proceedings are stayed pending determination of human rights issues.
The matter has already generated tension at the court. ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde alleged that the Society’s representatives were blocked from addressing the presiding judge.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ssemakadde claimed that, under the direction of Police CID Director Tom Magambo, court officials prevented ULS lawyers from presenting their concerns in court.
The Judiciary and Police had not yet publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication.
The development introduces a new legal dimension to the already sensitive Ggaba murder trial, with the High Court now expected to determine whether the alleged constitutional violations warrant halting proceedings before the criminal case can continue.
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