ULS Condemns ‘Malicious’ Warrantless Eviction of Muwema & Co. Advocates

In a strongly worded statement issued after an emergency press conference at ULS House today, the Society said it was “disturbed” by a viral video showing agents of the landlord, backed by police officers from Kira Road, throwing out files, furniture and sensitive client documents without a court-issued warrant of execution or eviction.

At a press conference held at fheir offices in Kampala on 10 March 2026, The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has launched a scathing attack on Downtown Investments Ltd and the Uganda Police Force over the forcible eviction of prominent law firm M/s Muwema & Co. Advocates from their offices at Plot 50 Windsor Crescent, Kololo, describing the operation as “malicious” and a blatant violation of due process.

“ULS is disturbed by a viral video showing M/s Muwema & Co. Advocates being unceremoniously evicted from their Plot 50 Windsor Crescent, Kololo offices in Kampala City by Downtown Investments Ltd agents, backed by officers of the Uganda Police Force,” the statement reads.

The Society emphasised that law firms are not ordinary tenants because they hold highly sensitive client property protected by law.

“Law firms handle sensitive client data, property and affairs such as title deeds, wills and exhibits, which are legally protected from harm. Any disputes between advocates and landlords (or creditors) should not put clients at risk,” the ULS stated.

Anthony Asiimwe, Vice-President of the Uganda Law Society, who addressed journalists at the packed press conference, did not mince words.

“We are shocked and disturbed by the viral video that went viral evicting one of our members M/s Muwema and Company Advocates,” Asiimwe said. “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.”

He drew parallels with a past incident during the tenure of former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura.

“Such an act occurred some time back during the Kale Kayihura era… in Nakasero mosque offices,” Asiimwe recalled. “There are so many sensitive documents like titles, evidence, agreements, digital forensics, etc., but when they saw all things being thrown out unceremoniously by Downtown Investments who came with private security and police from Kira Road with no warrant of eviction, no execution warrant from court, which was wrong.”

The Vice-President stressed that even a court victory does not authorise self-help.

“Even if they had won the case it can’t give an open cheque, carte blanche to them to evict a person. There are processes of execution. This was maliciously carried out in a total breach of legally established procedures,” he said. “This judgement was delivered on the 20th of February 2026, this eviction happened on the 6th March 2026 without following clear procedures. This was a record period.”

Asiimwe revealed that the law firm had already filed and served a Notice of Appeal, triggering an automatic stay of execution under Ugandan law.

“The right of appeal is a fundamental aspect of due process; all parties must respect this process and allow courts to determine disputes conclusively,” the ULS statement added.

The Society accused the police of acting unlawfully and without authorisation.

“The police did this blatantly. This is an attack on the legal profession. We feel we are not protected as lawyers and members of the public,” Asiimwe said. “Even RDCs didn’t approve. The police should be accountable and answerable.”

He disclosed that the ULS has formally written to the Inspector General of Police seeking answers.

“We even wrote to the Inspector General of Police to know who the commanding officer of the eviction was, and whether he approved this activity… without a verified and lawful warrant from court which is valid. Are there steps taken? Were the police involved in removing confidential and sensitive documents? What if clients come and demand for them? What will Muwema answer? Where’s the custody for these documents after the eviction? We need all these answers. Who’s liable? We need to know the names of these people who conducted this!”

The ULS further warned that Uganda is bound by international standards it has ratified.

“We have signed different international instruments for protection. We have obligations under the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) and the IBA Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession (1990),” Asiimwe said.

In its official statement, the Society issued a direct ultimatum:

“ULS therefore calls upon Downtown Investments Ltd and the Inspector General of Police to reverse their actions and apologise to M/s Muwema & Co. Advocates, immediately cease all unlawful actions, and respect the pending appellate process.”

The Society concluded with a bold headline in its release:

“DOWNTOWN INVESTMENTS WAS NOT GIVEN CARTE BLANCHE TO EVICT M/S MUWEMA & CO. ADVOCATES AND COMPROMISE CLIENTS’ INTERESTS”

The statement was issued “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE”.

As of press time, neither Downtown Investments Ltd nor the Uganda Police Force had issued an official response. Clients of M/s Muwema & Co. Advocates whose title deeds, wills and court exhibits were reportedly scattered during the Friday 6 March operation are anxiously waiting to know the current location and safety of their documents.

The ULS has vowed to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, warning that any further harassment of legal practitioners will not be tolerated.