VIDEO: Nalukoola Challenges Museveni's Remarks on Denying Bail to Opposition Suspects

[Da Dona]

Kawempe North MP Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has criticized President Yoweri Museveni's recent remarks suggesting that opposition suspects facing serious criminal charges should be denied bail, arguing that the President should not direct the Judiciary on how to exercise its constitutional mandate.

Speaking to journalists, Nalukoola questioned how the President could claim to respect the independence of the Judiciary while at the same time calling for bail to be withheld from opposition suspects.

"Who are you to question the Judiciary and order that bail shouldn't be granted to the opposition, and then you say the Judiciary is independent?" Nalukoola asked.

The legislator, who is also a lawyer, said legal matters should be left to judicial officers and legal professionals.

"In law school, I have never come across the name 'Museveni' as one of the custodians of law. When it comes to issues of warfare, corruption and other areas, they are the ones available, but when it comes to issues of law, they should leave that to us," he said.

Nalukoola further argued that President Museveni was elected to lead the country and not to assume the role of the Chief Justice.

"Gen. Museveni didn't seek to be Chief Justice. He sought to be President of Uganda, a position he didn't acquire through election but imposed himself, and he's now ordering judges what to do," he said.

His remarks come in response to President Museveni's State of the Nation Address delivered on July 4, in which the President argued that opposition suspects facing serious criminal charges should be denied bail. Museveni said releasing such suspects could intimidate witnesses, particularly in rural communities, and weaken the administration of justice.
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The President's comments have since sparked debate over the constitutional independence of the Judiciary and the right to bail, with critics arguing that courts—not the Executive—should determine whether an accused person qualifies for bail based on the law and the facts of each case.​