In a recent statement, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, has criticized Uganda’s Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, accusing the judiciary of complicity in political persecution and the death of former Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9, 2025, had been arrested in September 2021 alongside MP Allan Ssewanyana on charges including terrorism related to murders in the Masaka region. Despite serious health issues, Ssegirinya was reportedly denied bail, which Bobi Wine argues contributed to his deteriorating condition and eventual death.
Bobi Wine’s remarks follow Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo’s defense of the judiciary’s independence. During a retreat with judicial officers in Mbarara, Owiny-Dollo dismissed allegations of partiality, citing instances where the courts upheld justice, including granting Bobi Wine bail during his 2021 presidential campaign.
In response, Bobi Wine highlighted cases where the judiciary allegedly favored the ruling government, such as the denial of medical treatment for author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija after his reported torture for criticizing the regime. He also questioned the judiciary’s silence on the trial of civilians in military tribunals, a practice that has faced public outrage.
Bobi Wine’s critique underscores ongoing concerns about the judiciary’s role in Uganda’s political landscape, particularly regarding the treatment of opposition figures and the impartiality of legal proceedings.
