The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has formally requested President Yoweri Museveni to initiate a criminal investigation into Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflicts of interest. In a detailed letter authored by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, the organization accuses Kiwanuka of orchestrating schemes that have caused significant financial losses to the government and undermined the country’s legal system.
The ULS cites several instances of alleged misconduct, including the mismanagement of the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board (DAPCB), which reportedly resulted in losses exceeding UGX100 trillion. Kiwanuka is accused of signing fraudulent consent judgments and illegally acquiring over 300 properties that could have been utilized for government offices to save on rent.
In addition, the ULS alleges that Kiwanuka implemented a bribery scheme in the appointment of judicial officers, demanding payments ranging from UGX20 million to UGX200 million depending on the position. The letter further claims that some applicants sold their assets to pay these bribes, only to be excluded from appointments.
The ULS also accuses Kiwanuka of interfering in the society’s 2024 elections, alleging that he misappropriated UGX1.2 billion in government funds to influence the outcome. He is said to have authorized the illegal transfer of UGX200 million to facilitate voting by unqualified individuals and allegedly attempted to orchestrate a coup within the ULS leadership.
The accusations extend to conflicts of interest, with Kiwanuka allegedly continuing private practice at K&K Advocates while serving as Attorney General, and monopolizing government legal contracts for select firms. He is also accused of threatening judicial officers, undermining judicial independence, and facilitating corruption in high-value government contracts, including the Kilembe Mines project.
The ULS has called on President Museveni to relieve Kiwanuka of his duties, initiate a criminal investigation, and freeze his assets. It also urges the Inspector General of Government to conduct a forensic audit of the Attorney General’s office during Kiwanuka’s tenure.
As of now, neither Kiwanuka nor the government has issued a formal response to the allegations. The case has sparked significant public interest, with legal experts and civil society organizations calling for transparency and accountability.
Our efforts to speak to Mr Kiryowa by press time were futile as his calls were not going through.