The Democratic Party (DP) has raised concern over what it describes as the continued erosion of human rights and judicial independence in Uganda, while calling for reforms to local council elections and a more accountable fight against corruption.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at the party headquarters on Balintuma Road, the Deputy National Legal Advisor, Kenneth Nsubuga Ssebagayuga said the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution are inherent and cannot be taken away by the state.
“The laws of the land, especially the constitution, are not suggestions,” Ssebagayuga said.
He cited violations of Article 23 on personal liberty, including arrests and detention in ungazetted facilities, denial of access to next of kin, lawyers, and medical care, as well as the failure to produce suspects before court within the constitutional 48-hour limit.
Ssebagayuga also condemned the alleged torture of suspects and what he described as the weaponization of the criminal justice system against political opponents. He, therefore, emphasized the constitutional presumption of innocence under Article 28 and the right to bail, warning against any return to detention without trial.
On the recently concluded LCI and Women’s Council elections, the DP official congratulated all participants and said the party’s performance across the country reflected its national appeal. He, however, raised concerns over voter register tampering, bribery, violence, rigging, and incidents where winners were declared without any voting taking place.
Ssebagayuga proposed aligning future LCI elections with general elections so they can use a common voters’ register, and also called for the establishment of a dedicated tribunal to handle election disputes instead of placing the burden on magistrates’ courts.
He further urged the judiciary to fast-track election petitions arising from the January and February polls, arguing that justice delayed is justice denied and ultimately affects service delivery.
While expressing support for the fight against corruption, Ssebagayuga cautioned against executive interference in parliament’s oversight role and criticized arbitrary actions by ministers that bypass due process through investigative agencies such as the IGG and the police.
The party also congratulated the Kabaka upon his 33rd coronation anniversary and thanked President Museveni for appointing DP President General Norbert Mao as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
