Summary:
- Ssemakadde described the incident as a blatant abuse of power and a direct assault on justice, the rule of law, and human dignity.
KAMPALA: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly condemned the unlawful arrest of Sylvia Nazziwa, an elderly woman in Mityana, allegedly in retaliation for her daughter Teopista Nalugo’s criticism of government officials on social media.
In a statement issued by the ULS President, Isaac Ssemakadde, it was revealed that media footage shows the arrest was directed by Mityana Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Prossy Mwanjuzi.
Ssemakadde described the incident as a blatant abuse of power and a direct assault on justice, the rule of law, and human dignity.
“Such actions not only erode public trust but also set a dangerous precedent for governance in Uganda,” Ssemakadde said.
He added that Sylvia Nazziwa’s arrest lacked any legal basis and violated Article 23 of the Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and prohibits arbitrary arrests and detention.
“The judiciary has consistently emphasized the need for lawful justification in all arrests, as reaffirmed in Attorney General v. Joseph Tumushabe (Constitutional Appeal No. 3 of 2005). In this instance, no such justification exists,” he said.
Ssemakadde further argued that Prossy Mwanjuzi’s actions constitute a gross abuse of authority under Article 203 of the Constitution, which outlines the responsibilities of RDCs.
“Her conduct is a betrayal of public trust and undermines the very principles she is sworn to uphold,” he stated.
The ULS confirmed that Sylvia Nazziwa was released on police bond but insisted that her release does not absolve the misconduct that led to her arrest.
“ULS has formally written to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, calling for immediate disciplinary action, including the interdiction of Ms. Prossy Mwanjuzi,” Ssemakadde said.
He noted that Mwanjuzi’s actions breached her constitutional mandate and violated ethical standards outlined in the Public Service Standing Orders of 2021.
Ssemakadde warned that if the Office of the President fails to act, the ULS will invoke Section 10(1) of the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, which holds public officers personally liable for violations of individuals’ rights.
The ULS pledged to monitor the case closely, ensuring that Sylvia Nazziwa’s liberty and safety are upheld. They demanded that she be freed from police bond and any further restrictions.
