Lwengo District — Civil society organisations operating under the Lwengo District NGO Forum have petitioned President Museveni over what they describe as a prolonged absence of a designated State Attorney in the district, warning that the situation is undermining access to justice and the rule of law.
In a petition dated December 22, 2025, and addressed to the President, the Forum says Lwengo District has not had a single designated State Attorney since 2010, when it was elevated to district status, despite hosting two Grade One Magistrates’ Courts in Mbirizi and Kyazanga.
The Forum, which serves as an umbrella body for civil society organisations in the district, argues that the absence of a resident State Attorney has forced most criminal case files originating from Lwengo to be forwarded to Masaka City for sanctioning and prosecution.
According to the petition, this arrangement has allegedly resulted in delayed justice, increased operational costs for law enforcement agencies, and logistical challenges that affect both suspects and judicial officers.
Among the concerns raised are claims that suspects are at times detained in police custody beyond the constitutionally mandated 48 hours due to delays in obtaining prosecutorial guidance.
The Forum also notes that police stations in the district face difficulties in transporting case files to Masaka because of inadequate facilitation.
“Inmates spend excessive time in police cells awaiting prosecutorial guidance,” the petition reads in part, adding that the situation has negatively affected public confidence in the justice system and weakened the rule of law in the district.
DOC-20251222-WA0005The Forum further observes that most sanctioned files are currently being heard in Masaka, a development it says has rendered some judicial officers in Lwengo underutilised.
The civil society body contrasts Lwengo’s situation with that of Masaka City, which it says currently has more than 10 State Attorneys, while Lwengo, described as a rapidly growing district with a rising crime rate, has none.
“This imbalance has greatly prejudiced access to justice in our district,” the petition states.
The Forum is now appealing to the President to intervene and ensure that at least two State Attorneys are deployed to Lwengo District to address the growing prosecutorial demands and restore efficiency within the justice system.
Signed by the Forum’s chairperson and chief executive officer, Mr Tushabe Bruce Nzabanita, the petition argues that timely intervention would strengthen the rule of law and improve the delivery of justice to residents of Lwengo District.
The Forum concludes by urging the President to consider the petition in the interest of ensuring prompt and fair justice.
