KAMPALA, Uganda | The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has launched a new online whistleblower platform aimed at collecting confidential reports of judicial misconduct. This initiative is intended to provide an accessible and secure way for members of the legal profession and the public to report allegations of abuse of power, bias, and other irregularities within Uganda’s judicial system.

ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde has highlighted the importance of the platform as a step toward addressing systemic issues affecting the judiciary. He urged ULS members, who are often directly impacted by judicial misconduct, to actively use the platform.

The platform currently enables whistleblowers to provide detailed information on allegations involving Justice Musa Ssekaana and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

For Justice Ssekaana, the platform gathers information on a range of allegations, including abuse of power, delivering biased rulings, failing to recuse himself in cases of conflict of interest, and harassment of advocates. It also includes allegations of using his judicial office to secure preferential treatment for relatives and friends, which are said to have undermined public trust in the judiciary.

Regarding the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the platform is collecting reports on allegations such as conflict of interest, providing harmful legal advice to the government, usurping the powers of the judiciary, and mismanaging cases. Other allegations include harassment of state attorneys, intimidation of advocates and their clients, procurement fraud, and mistreatment of investors.

In addition to launching the platform, Ssemakadde has expressed concern over the inefficiency of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in resolving complaints, particularly those involving Justice Ssekaana. While addressing ULS members at the Law Society House on Ssemakadde cited the example of Ssekaana’s actions in blocking the ULS Extraordinary General Meeting as indicative of larger systemic challenges within the judiciary.

The ULS has assured the public and its members that all complaints submitted through the platform will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and seriousness. The society also reiterated its commitment to investigating the allegations thoroughly and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken in accordance with the law.