KAMPALA – Ugandan Law Firm Atuhairwe & Company Advocates Faces Investigation Over Alleged LGBTQ+ Ties
Ugandan authorities have intensified their efforts against LGBTQ+ activities, placing Atuhairwe & Company Advocates under scrutiny in a high-profile probe. The law firm stands accused of offering legal support to individuals involved in same-sex relationships, which remain criminalized under Uganda’s legal framework.
On January 10, 2025, law enforcement officers apprehended multiple individuals linked to the firm, including Brian Mwesige, Musaazi Henry, Kigozi Joel, Ampaire Peter, and James Walakira. The detainees were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison as investigations proceed.
Officials allege that Atuhairwe & Company Advocates has been actively assisting LGBTQ+ individuals, a move they argue threatens the country’s cultural and moral fabric. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing anti-homosexuality laws, warning that any entity found promoting such activities will face serious legal repercussions.
Human rights organizations have voiced concerns over what they see as a growing clampdown on personal freedoms. Activists argue that targeting legal professionals for providing counsel to marginalized groups undermines fundamental principles of justice and the right to legal representation.
As the case unfolds, both domestic and international observers are closely watching how the Ugandan judiciary will navigate the charges brought against Atuhairwe & Company Advocates and its associates.
