KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has strongly condemned what it described as a “malicious and unlawful” eviction of the law firm Muwema & Co. Advocates from its offices in Kololo, accusing both the landlord and police of breaching due process and putting sensitive client documents at risk.
In a sharply worded statement issued following an emergency press conference at ULS House in Kampala, the Society criticised the conduct of Downtown Investments Ltd and officers from the Uganda Police Force who allegedly backed the eviction.
The law firm was forcibly removed from its premises at Plot 50 Windsor Crescent in Kololo on 6 March 2026, an operation that quickly gained public attention after a video circulated online showing agents discarding office furniture, files and legal documents.
ULS Raises Alarm Over Client Confidentiality
ULS said it was “deeply disturbed” by footage of the eviction, warning that law firms handle confidential materials that require legal protection.
According to the Society, advocates’ offices contain highly sensitive client property including title deeds, wills, evidential exhibits and digital records, meaning disputes between landlords and tenants must be handled through strict court procedures.
“Law firms are not ordinary tenants,” the ULS statement said, noting that mishandling or exposure of client materials could have serious legal consequences.
“No Carte Blanche to Evict”
Speaking at the press conference, ULS Vice-President Anthony Asiimwe criticised the eviction as an abuse of legal procedure.
“As members of the Law Society, we have the mandate to protect our members and all lawyers under Section 3(c) of the Uganda Law Society Act,” Asiimwe said.
He argued that even if the landlord had prevailed in a legal dispute, self-help eviction without proper court execution orders was unlawful.
“Even if they had won the case, it cannot give an open cheque or carte blanche to evict someone,” Asiimwe said. “There are clear procedures of execution. What happened here was carried out in total breach of established legal processes.”
The judgement in the dispute was reportedly delivered on 20 February 2026, meaning the eviction occurred barely two weeks later.
Appeal Filed, Stay of Execution Triggered
ULS also revealed that the law firm had already filed and served a Notice of Appeal, which the Society says triggers an automatic stay of execution under Ugandan law.
“The right of appeal is a fundamental aspect of due process,” the Society said, stressing that all parties must respect the judicial process until the courts resolve the matter.
Police Role Questioned
The Society further criticised the involvement of the police, claiming officers participated in the eviction without a valid court warrant.
ULS has formally written to the Inspector General of Police seeking clarification on:
Who authorised the eviction operation, Which officers were involved, Whether police handled or removed confidential legal documents, and Where the documents are currently being kept
“As lawyers we feel unprotected,” Asiimwe said. “Who is accountable for these documents if clients demand them? We need answers.”
International Standards Cited
ULS also pointed to Uganda’s international obligations, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) and the International Bar Association standards on the independence of the legal profession, which require states to protect lawyers and their professional materials from interference.
ULS Demands Apology and Reversal
In its final position, the Society issued a direct demand to both the landlord and the police:
Immediately reverse the eviction, Apologise to Muwema & Co. Advocates, Respect the ongoing appellate process, and Cease any unlawful interference with the law firm
As of press time, neither Downtown Investments Ltd nor the Uganda Police Force had publicly responded to the allegations.
Meanwhile, clients of Muwema & Co. Advocates remain concerned about the location and safety of their legal documents, some of which were reportedly scattered during the eviction.
ULS says it will pursue the matter until accountability is established, warning that any continued harassment of legal practitioners threatens both the profession and the rule of law.
