From Bail to Abduction: Paul Akamba and Uganda's Legal Turmoil.

As the outrageous acts of impunity and corruption continue to surface in Uganda, the recent events involving legislators highlight a severe crisis in our nation’s respect for legality. Initially, the Anti-Corruption Court summoned three legislators leaving many others in fear as more summonses continue being distributed. On June 14, 2024, Busiki County Member of Parliament, Paul Akamba, was granted bail but was subsequently violently apprehended by masked, plain-clothed gunmen amidst a heated-up struggle between his family and these unknown armed strangers. This act of cruelty, witnessed by the police with apparent nonchalance, puts the credibility of the nation’s judiciary in question.

One is left to wonder how and why the court of law grant one bail, only for a clutch of individuals to violently refute the court decision and abduct the bailed person. Such blatant disregard for the rule of law manifests the existence of untouchable powers operating beyond lawful boundaries, a scenario that is direly unacceptable in a society like ours operating under the governance of the rule of law.

This violent abduction has raised eyebrows and amplified the fears of many Ugandans, underscoring the fact that no one is immune from such arbitrary actions. Notably, this trend of defying legal procedures is not new. Back, in March 2007, members of the People’s Redemption Army were granted bail, only to be surrounded and re-arrested by armed men. Similarly, the former AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi murder suspects faced the same fate. The National Unity Platform party, NUP, has on many occasions reported abductions of its supporters across the country, though these claims were often dismissed. Are such scenarios noticed by the relevant bodies, or otherwise? Moreover, if it is factual that they do, our heads stay shaking in uncertainty if we are safe.

Amusingly, numerous political analysts and observers as well as government supporters, have spoken up in unison, condemning this strange manifestation of disregard of legality. We remain questioning if the cause of this outrage is intensified by the fact that the victim is one of their own. These are some of the many fruits of abnormal leadership we are and are yet to face. 

This is what happens when leadership allows incubation of impunity. In our different times, all of us will have a taste of it; it is a matter of time. Such are the songs different citizens sing and are taken for granted.

Surprisingly, at different times, we find ourselves unconsciously dancing to the melody. Nonetheless, we cannot rejoice in the government’s indifference when it comes to the need for rectification of such a mess. Akamba’s abduction should be a critical turning point, an expose of the defects in our legal system and the necessity for firm observance of constitutional law.

This incident is an opportunity to reinforce and concretize the rule of law. This level of impunity is dire; ignoring it will not help but set the country back to the dark long and endless tunnels, when living in Uganda was synonymous to traversing a tempestuous chaotic ocean. The funny part of the story is that we address all these issues and many seem unbothered, we tend to care when it is out time caught red-handed in the trap. The honourable’s incident ought to be seen as a wake-up call in the darkness surrounding us. All stakeholders should join efforts to prevent further entrenchment of such horrific practices for they put the judiciary at stake. It is already late but not very late. We should not wait for the chandelier to fall on us further. The taste we have received is enough.

Moving forward, we are all entitled to our rights, and when bail is granted by the court, it should be treasured and respected. As a society, we should foster mutual understanding for the law. The police ought to play their duty in ensuring law and order and should investigate this uncultured desecration of rights, holding accountable whoever undermines the judiciary's authority. Only through such actions can the credibility of the judiciary and the rule of law be restored in Uganda.