The family of Geoffrey Kazinda, the embattled former Principal Accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, has called on the Uganda Law Society (ULS) to intervene in what they describe as an unreasonably delayed Supreme Court ruling that could determine his future, including his potential release from prison. The case, which has been ongoing for five years, has left Kazinda’s family in a state of distress, uncertain about the future of the case and the long-awaited ruling.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Peter Lubulwa, a representative of Kazinda’s family, expressed frustration over the prolonged judicial process. Lubulwa confirmed that both Kazinda and his family had written to Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, urging him to urgently intervene in the matter and ensure that it is concluded before his retirement. “We wrote to the Supreme Court, specifically to the Chief Justice, to intervene and see when this matter will be disposed of,” Lubulwa explained. The family fears that if the case remains unresolved before the Chief Justice’s retirement, it could trigger a reconstitution of the bench, further complicating an already extended process.
Family Calls for ULS Support
The Kazinda family has specifically appealed to the Uganda Law Society to lend their voice to the call for a swift resolution of the case. Lubulwa emphasized that the case has been dragging on for too long and that the delay is causing unnecessary stress. “We request the Uganda Law Society to add their voice to ours so that this matter is finally disposed of,” he said.
Kazinda’s case, which has been in the hands of the Supreme Court for five years, has sparked frustration due to the lack of a ruling despite previous legal decisions. In 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled that Kazinda’s trials were flawed and ordered his release. However, this ruling was blocked by an injunction obtained by the Attorney General in the Supreme Court, allowing the prosecution to continue.
A Mother’s Plea for Resolution
The delay has taken an emotional toll on Kazinda’s family, particularly his elderly mother, Nanfuka, who expressed fears that she may not live to see her son released. She voiced concern about her advanced age, which makes it difficult for her to visit Kazinda, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence at Luzira Prison for charges of illicit enrichment. In her plea, she called for a timely resolution to the case, hoping that she would live long enough to see justice served.
ULS Acknowledges the Petition
The Uganda Law Society has acknowledged the family’s petition and confirmed that it is following up on the matter. The legal body expressed its commitment to ensuring that Kazinda’s case does not remain in limbo indefinitely.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about judicial delays and corruption in Uganda’s legal system, where legal uncertainty continues to affect both ordinary citizens and high-ranking officials alike. The Kazinda family’s appeal for a timely ruling serves as a call for accountability within Uganda’s legal institutions and a demand for faster justice.
