Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has weighed in on the ongoing Uganda Law Society (ULS) strike, expressing strong support for the legal fraternity’s protest and framing it as a bold stand against what she described as growing lawlessness.
In a statement shared publicly on Friday, Nyanjura linked the strike to the broader political climate, referring to the current period as “Muhoozi basement times,” a phrase increasingly used by critics to describe alleged repression and human rights concerns under security agencies.
She praised the leadership of ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, crediting him and his team for what she called fearless resistance.
“In these ‘Muhoozi basement’ times, the Radical New Bar is one of the few things putting a smile on my face,” Nyanjura said.
“Thank you, President Isaac Ssemakadde; anticlockwise thinker, nonconformist, legal rebel, and Senior Counsel for your bold leadership.”
Her remarks come as lawyers across Uganda withdraw services in protest against alleged human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and intimidation of legal practitioners.
The strike has disrupted court proceedings nationwide, with many cases stalled due to lack of legal representation.
Nyanjura’s endorsement underscores growing political backing for the strike, particularly from opposition-leaning figures who view the action as a necessary intervention to defend constitutionalism.
She further commended the ULS leadership for maintaining pressure on authorities, saying their actions reflect a commitment to justice and accountability.
“Thank you for continuously resisting lawlessness,” she added.
The ULS strike, timed to coincide with global observance of Anti-Torture Day, is aimed at pushing for reforms within Uganda’s justice system, as well as demanding accountability from security agencies accused of overreach.
While the government has yet to issue a comprehensive response, the strike has intensified debate over the rule of law and the independence of legal institutions in the country.