Lawyer Caleb Alaka
Concerns are mounting over the safety and independence of legal practitioners in Uganda following a series of controversial X posts by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba that appeared to target a lawyer representing Speaker Anita Among.
The posts, made on Tuesday, directly referenced advocate Caleb Alaka, who had reportedly gone to Parliament during an ongoing security operation.
In one message, Muhoozi questioned Alaka’s presence and suggested he could face arrest, adding that he would “put him in my freezer soon.”
In another post, he warned that private lawyers representing “the corrupt against the state” would face consequences.
The remarks have drawn sharp reactions within the legal fraternity, with lawyer Kenneth Muhangi warning that such statements risk undermining the legal profession.
“I read a tweet today where a practicing Advocate was threatened simply for doing their job,” Muhangi said.
He noted that while social media posts are often treated as casual expression, the context in Uganda makes them more serious.
“If tweets were just tweets, as they should be in a society that respects free speech, we would laugh, dismiss it, and move on. But in Uganda, we know tweets are not always just tweets,” he added.
Muhangi said the tone of the posts could instill fear among lawyers, particularly those handling politically sensitive cases.
“So I don’t know what troubles me more: the tweet itself, or the very real fear it creates for lawyers exercising their right to practice law without intimidation,” he said.
His remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny over corruption allegations involving senior officials. Reports linked to the ongoing operation suggest that large sums of money were recovered, further fuelling public anger.
However, Muhangi cautioned that public outrage should not translate into threats against legal practitioners.
“At the same time, I can’t shake this feeling of helplessness knowing that a corrupt public official reportedly had billions hidden in her house, while cancer patients at the Uganda Cancer Institute still lack proper beds. The contrast is heartbreaking,” he said.