In a move that has drawn sharp condemnation from British diplomats, a Ugandan lawyer representing clients accused of treason has been charged with a related offence. The lawyer, whose name has been withheld for legal reasons, was arrested on Monday in Kampala and charged with “concealing treason” under Uganda’s penal code. UK officials have described the charge as an act of judicial harassment, raising fears of a crackdown on legal defenders in the East African nation.
The arrest comes amid a broader legal offensive against opposition figures and their representatives. President Yoweri Museveni’s government has faced international criticism for using treason laws to silence dissent. The lawyer was reportedly representing a group of opposition activists arrested last month on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. Human rights groups say the charges are baseless and politically motivated.
“This is a blatant attempt to intimidate the legal profession and undermine the rule of law,” said a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Kampala. “We call on the Ugandan authorities to drop these charges immediately and ensure the lawyer’s safety.” The UK government has previously raised concerns about Uganda’s shrinking civic space, including the arrest of journalists and activists.
The case has also sparked outrage among lawyers’ associations in Uganda. The Uganda Law Society issued a statement condemning the arrest, calling it an “assault on the independence of the legal profession.” They have demanded the lawyer’s unconditional release and a halt to what they describe as “a pattern of persecution against lawyers who take on politically sensitive cases.”
For the families of the accused, the development is deeply distressing. “My husband has been in detention for weeks, and now his lawyer is also behind bars,” said one woman, who asked not to be named. “We feel abandoned by the justice system.” The cost of legal representation in such cases is already high, and the threat of retaliation only adds to the burden on ordinary Ugandans seeking justice.
The UK’s condemnation is an important signal but no substitute for concrete action. Critics say that while Britain has spoken out, it has not imposed sanctions or taken stronger measures against Uganda over its human rights record. The charge of “concealing treason” carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a penalty that would devastate the lawyer’s family and clients.
As the case proceeds this week, all eyes will be on the courts. The lawyer is expected to appear before a magistrate on Friday to apply for bail. But the outcome is uncertain in a system where judicial independence is increasingly under threat. For now, the lawyer remains in custody, a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who defend the accused in Uganda’s troubled political landscape.
