By Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has likened the current atmosphere in Uganda’s civilian courts to the reintroduction of military rule, after plainclothes men believed to be JJAT security operatives stormed the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday 23rd May and assaulted opposition supporters.
“What we saw today feels like a military court masquerading as civilian,” Semujju said after the incident. “They come ahead of us, dressed like civilians, take over court, and beat people while the police stand by or even cooperate.”
Latest
Agather Atuhaire Released After Detention In Tanzania
Deputy RDC Gomba Remanded Over Land Fraud Charges
Former Police Commander Nixon Agasirwe Arrested in Connection With Joan Kagezi Murder
Bobi Wine Calls Mutwe, Twine Joint Charge A Regime Witch-Hunt
Noah Mutwe, Ex-CID Spokesperson Twine Jointly Charged With Incitement And Conspiracy
Amongi Rallies Public to Speak Out Against Sexual Harassment
UPC Confirms Two Candidates In Party Presidential Race
Akena Declares Readiness For 2026, Criticizes Threats To Party Funds
His remarks followed a dramatic confrontation in the courtroom, where four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale, and Capt. Dennis Oola of the UPDF were expected to appear on fresh charges of terrorism. The state alleges that the accused and others still at large committed acts of terrorism between 2023 and 2024 in Uganda, Kenya, and Switzerland.
The violence erupted just before court proceedings began, when a group of unknown men believed to be security agents entered the courtroom, occupied benches, and then began physically attacking members of the opposition.
Among the victims was opposition activist Ingrid Turinawe, who said she was filming the packed courtroom when one of the assailants grabbed her phone. “While trying to recover my phone, our people were beaten so badly,” she said. “We come to court because we are summoned, but these people come to harm us.”
Turinawe described the court as a battlefield, echoing Semujju’s sentiment that security forces have abandoned their duty to protect. “This is not the first time,” she said. “At the last appearance, our supporters were kidnapped, beaten the entire day, and dumped on the roadside. Some are still in hospital.”
Read Also
NUP Sets Tough Vetting Rules As It Opens 2026 Election Applications
EX- CID Spokesperson Twine And Noah Mutwe Finally Produced To Buganda Road Court
Busia LCV Chairperson Re-Arrested, Remanded Over Assault and Vehicle Parts Theft
Gov’t Pushes Town Clerks to Upgrade Market Facilities, Enforce Reforms
Justice Mulyagonja Blasts Mulago Hospital Over Husband’s Death
Tottenham Win 1st Trophy In 17 years
Semujju criticized the Uganda Police Force, accusing them of neglecting their role and allowing illegal violence within court premises. “How can court be overrun while police just watch? One of the attackers even threatened me as he walked out. This is no longer justice it’s intimidation,” he said.
No official police statement had been issued by press time.
