A lawyer’s raw and conflicted reaction has added a new layer to the ongoing corruption scandal rocking Uganda’s Parliament, where seven senior officials were arrested over the alleged loss of more than Shs27 billion in public funds.
The officials, who have already been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court and remanded, face serious charges including embezzlement, money laundering, and causing financial loss.
The case has triggered widespread public concern, with many Ugandans demanding accountability in one of the country’s most critical institutions.
But as the legal process begins, lawyer Galisonga K. Galisonga has offered a perspective that sharply captures the moral and professional tension surrounding the case.
“As a patriot, I am certainly sad about the corruption at Parliament and I pray to God that the law takes its full course,” he said, expressing frustration over the allegations.
His remarks reflect a growing sense of outrage among citizens who view the scandal as yet another blow to public trust.
At the same time, Galisonga pointed to a constitutional reality that continues to shape the case — the right to legal representation.
He noted that regardless of public anger, the accused officials are entitled to a fair defense, and lawyers representing them are acting within the law.
In a striking admission, he acknowledged the irony that while the accused are yet to be proven guilty, their legal teams stand to benefit professionally.
“The Christian in me is conflicting with the lawyer that I am,” he added, highlighting the ethical dilemma faced by legal practitioners in high-profile corruption cases.