There is a wave of panic in the judiciary as incidents of death threats are being reported among High Court judges.
The judiciary has reacted to the threats, warning that the perpetrators of these actions will be arrested.
Judiciary spokesperson Jameson Karemani has confirmed that on June 20, 2022, the staff at Soroti High Court received a suspicious package with a warning letter addressed to the resident Judge, the assistant registrar, counsel, and plaintiffs in a court case now a subject of police investigations.
Karemani says the letter addressed to Justice Peter Henry Adonyo, the resident judge of the High court was wrapped with five rounds of ammunition (bullets) attached therein. He further explains that the matter was reported to the area police and it's under investigation.
He has however condemned the acts as cowardice and has warned that all those involved will be arrested.
"This act of cowardice is an unwarranted indirect affront on the independence of the judiciary which is protected by the constitution of the republic of Uganda. Article 126 of the constitution provides that no person or authority shall interfere with the courts or judicial officers in the exercise of their duties" - Karemani said
Karemani has also advised unscrupulous people who are sending such threatening letters to judicial officers over matters decided in court to appeal.
Prior to his transfer from the Commercial Division of the High Court, Justice Adonyo was involved in controversial cases, most notably, his judgment in the HAM vs DTB bank case where he ruled in favor of City Tycoon Hamis Kiguundu.
He was also involved in a controversial land case involving the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi II, and jailed City Lawyer Male Mabirizi. He ruled in favor of the Kabaka.
However, Justice Adnonyo is not the first victim of similar death threats in the justice system. Others include; High Court Family Division Judge David Matovu, Buganda Road Court Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, Moses Kule the Rukungiri Chief Magistrate, and Principal Judge Flavian Zeija who narrowly survived death after he was attacked on his way to Kampala from Masaka.