Uganda: Muhoozi Endorsement - ULs Asks Judge Singiza to Resign

What the report says

The Uganda Law Society has called for Dr. Douglas Singiza to resign as chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, saying his reported appearance at the Patriotic League of Uganda’s offices and alleged endorsement of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba raises concerns about judicial neutrality. The statement, reported from Kampala by The Independent and distributed by AllAfrica, says the Society believes the conduct is incompatible with the standards expected of a senior judicial official.

ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde said the chair of the commission must be seen as politically impartial because the body plays a central role in recommending judicial appointments and handling discipline cases. The Society has asked Uganda’s Constitutional Court to urgently hear its pending petition challenging Singiza’s appointment, along with an application seeking to stop the commission from operating under his leadership while the case is unresolved.

The report also notes that Singiza had not publicly confirmed or denied the reported visit in the material reviewed, and that the Patriotic League of Uganda said the meeting was a routine visit to one of its offices. The dispute comes as the PLU continues a public campaign urging support for Kainerugaba ahead of the 2031 presidential race. Separately, the ULS is also challenging the legal status of PLU and has asked several state institutions and public officials to distance themselves from it.

As presented in the article, these are allegations and legal arguments rather than findings by a court. The matter highlights ongoing tension in Uganda over judicial independence, political activity by public figures, and the rules governing partisan involvement by state officials and military officers.