The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticised Chief Justice Flavian Zeija over his recent warning to individuals who attack judicial officers on social media, arguing that such statements risk undermining constitutional freedoms and eroding public trust in the Judiciary.
ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said judges are not immune from public criticism and cautioned that threats directed at critics could weaken democratic accountability.
The lawyers’ body argued that freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution and reinforced by Uganda’s international human rights obligations, protects robust public debate about state institutions, including the courts.
“Judges, like all public officials in a democratic society, do not enjoy immunity from criticism, caustic commentary, or even insult. Public officials who exercise significant power over citizens must tolerate a higher level of scrutiny than private individuals,” Ssemakadde said.
ULS warned that threats of legal action or intolerance toward critics risk suppressing legitimate debate and could further weaken the Judiciary’s standing.
The society expressed concern over what it described as the increasing reliance on laws such as the offence of scandalising the court, criminal libel provisions under the Penal Code Act, and newer statutes including the Computer Misuse Act and the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
According to ULS, the application of these laws to online expression is inconsistent with constitutional democracy and judicial independence.
“An obsession with policing online narratives threatens the very legitimacy the Judiciary seeks to protect,” the statement said, warning that such an approach risks portraying courts as political actors rather than impartial arbiters.
The lawyers’ body argued that judicial authority should be anchored in professionalism, impartiality, transparency, and integrity rather than coercion or enforced reverence.
It urged Chief Justice Zeija to reconsider what it termed a bellicose posture toward critics, noting that similar approaches under previous judicial leadership had fuelled perceptions of intolerance and weakened public confidence.
“If critics are treated as enemies rather than stakeholders, judges risk being perceived as politicians,” the statement warned.
Citing the Inspectorate of Government’s Cost of Corruption Report (2021) and other studies, ULS said public confidence in Uganda’s justice system remains low due to concerns over corruption, delays, executive interference, and unequal access to justice. It argued that these challenges stem from structural weaknesses rather than social media criticism.
The society called on the Judiciary to prioritise substantive reforms, including clearing case backlogs, strengthening accountability mechanisms, ensuring merit-based appointments, and demonstrating independence in politically sensitive cases.
“Respect for the Judiciary must be earned through consistent, courageous, and people-centred adjudication,”Ssemakadde said.
ULS said it remains open to constructive engagement with the Judiciary, adding that its current leadership is willing to support reforms aimed at strengthening justice delivery.
“The Judiciary exists to serve the people, not to be insulated from them,” the statement concluded.
Chief Justice Zeija’s remarks were made amid growing concern within the Judiciary over online attacks targeting judicial officers. Speaking at the opening of the New Law Year, he said criticism of court decisions is legitimate but warned that personal attacks on judges undermine judicial independence and public confidence.
“No judicial officer should be harassed while carrying out judicial duties,” Justice Zeija said, adding that the Judiciary would explore lawful measures to protect officers from online abuse while maintaining accountability.
