Legal Battle Seeks to Dismantle State House Anti-Corruption Unit

(Kampala) – The Constitutional Court has embarked on a three day session, starting November 18, 2024, to deliberate on 14 petitions, one of which challenges the constitutionality of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU). The petitioners argue that SHACU’s actions, such as arrests, investigations, and detentions, infringe on the constitutional role of the police.
The petition was filed in 2022 by a group of private citizens comprising city lawyer Jeremiah Keeyo Mwanje, Law Development Centre student Justus Akampurira, law student Thomas Bagonza, and businessman Darius Muteesa. They claim that SHACU’s operations breach constitutional provisions by duplicating the responsibilities of established law enforcement agencies.
SHACU, established by President Yoweri Museveni in 2018, was designed to address corruption by coordinating citizen complaints and liaising with constitutionally mandated agencies to resolve cases efficiently. Since its inception, SHACU has been credited with handling significant corruption-related cases, including illegal charcoal trading and land-grabbing investigations. The unit has also recovered over UGX 30 billion lost to corruption.
Key Details of SHACU Debate
Information
Established
2018
Mandate
Combat corruption and expedite case resolution
Funds Recovered
Over UGX 30 billion
Contested Activities
Arrest, investigation, detention
The court session, presided over by Justices Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Muzamiru Kibeedi, Christopher Gashirabake, Oscar Kihika, Margaret Tibulya, Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, and Asa Mugenyi, heard arguments concerning SHACU’s legality and its alleged encroachment on police duties.
On the first day of the session, five constitutional petitions and five constitutional applications were addressed. Four petitions were reserved for judgment, while one was postponed to November 20, 2024, for consolidation and hearing. Five applications were dismissed after parties consented to their withdrawal.
Deputy Court Registrar Susanne Okeny Anyala announced that hearings would resume on November 19, 2024, with five petitions and one application on the docket.
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