The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced plans to hold a one-day sit-down strike on June 26, 2026, in what it says is a nationwide sensitisation exercise to draw attention to concerns over torture, human rights protections, and recent judicial decisions affecting enforcement of anti-torture laws.
Speaking to NBS Television, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe said the activity will coincide with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and will be used to educate the public on the risks faced by suspects and detainees within the justice system.
According to Uganda Law Society, the strike is not intended as a confrontation with any individual or institution, but rather as a symbolic action to highlight what they describe as growing concerns about the treatment of suspects under the law.
Asiimwe said the decision follows what the society views as setbacks in legal protections after a recent Constitutional Court ruling that reportedly nullified or weakened provisions of the Human Rights Enforcement framework relating to torture-related accountability.
He specifically referenced Section 11 of the legislation, which he said had previously played a key role in strengthening enforcement mechanisms against abuse.
“We were alarmed by the decision of the Constitutional Court nullifying provisions of the Human Rights Enforcement Act, specifically Section 11,” Asiimwe said. “The judges who delivered that judgment really disappointed us.”
He added that the planned strike is meant to prompt broader national reflection on Uganda’s obligations under international human rights instruments, particularly conventions that prohibit torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
“The reasoning behind this is to sensitise the public on why Uganda is a signatory to different charters against torture,” he said.
Asiimwe further argued that court decisions and their interpretation have a direct impact on the country’s human rights trajectory, warning that weakening legal safeguards could expose more citizens to abuse while in custody.
He said the sit-down strike is also intended to spark public debate on the role of the judiciary, accountability institutions, and security agencies in protecting constitutional rights.
Although he insisted the action is not targeted at any specific political figure, Asiimwe said recent high-profile incidents have heightened public concern about safety and due process. He pointed to the reported abduction of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as an example that, in his view, underscores the urgency of addressing human rights enforcement.
“The abduction of Lukwago helps people realise that no one is safe,” he said, adding that the strike is meant to reflect broader systemic issues rather than individual cases.
The ULS confirmed that the sit-down strike will last one day, but said it will be accompanied by ongoing sensitisation activities across the country aimed at educating citizens on legal rights, torture prevention, and access to justice.
The announcement is likely to spark debate within legal and political circles, particularly over the balance between judicial independence, security operations, and human rights enforcement in Uganda.