The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has demanded the resignation of Dr Douglas Singiza as chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, citing concerns over his alleged endorsement of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions.In a statement, ULS president Isaac K. Ssemakadde argued that Singiza’s appearance at the headquarters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and endorsement of a serving military officer for political leadership raise questions about the political neutrality expected of a senior judicial office holder.Ssemakadde questioned how Singiza could participate in activities associated with a political organisation while heading a commission responsible for key aspects of judicial appointments and discipline.ULS has asked the Constitutional court to urgently hear a petition challenging Singiza’s appointment, alongside an application seeking to restrain the Judicial Service Commission from operating under his leadership.The demand follows the circulation on social media of a photograph showing Singiza with MP Michael Mawanda at the PLU offices in Kampala. Singiza had not publicly confirmed or denied visiting the offices at the time of writing.The dispute comes amid a campaign by PLU supporters to endorse Muhoozi for the 2031 presidential election.On Tuesday, PLU official and Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda announced that President Yoweri Museveni had endorsed his son during a meeting of the ruling National Resistance Movement’s Central Executive Committee at State House, Entebbe. Kabanda, however, did not explain the nature or scope of the reported endorsement.ULS argues that Singiza’s alleged participation in PLU activities undermines public confidence in the Judiciary, whose independence is protected under Article 128 of the Constitution.“The Judicial Code of Conduct and the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct require a judge to be impartial, to be seen to be impartial, and to refrain from political activity,” Ssemakadde said.He argued that the chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission bears a particular responsibility to uphold public confidence because the commission plays a central role in recommending judicial appointments and handling disciplinary matters involving judicial officers.The society maintains that the commission’s leadership should meet the highest standards of impartiality, given its responsibility to recommend persons for appointment to judicial office and deal with disciplinary matters involving judicial officers.ULS filed Constitutional Petition No. 12 of 2025 on July 4, 2025, arguing that Singiza does not meet the constitutional requirement of high moral character and proven integrity.It also contends that Singiza should have retired from the Judiciary after accepting a full-time appointment outside it for more than three years, contrary to the Administration of the Judiciary Act.On July 8, 2025, the society filed an urgent application seeking to restrain the commission from operating under Singiza’s leadership while the petition was pending.ULS wants the petition and application scheduled for hearing during the Constitutional court session set for November 3 and 4, 2026.The society has also asked the Chief Justice to clarify publicly the Judiciary’s position on judicial officers attending the premises or functions of political organisations. It wants the Uganda Judicial Officers Association to condemn Singiza’s alleged conduct and support its demand for his resignation.Beyond Singiza’s conduct, ULS is challenging the legal status of PLU, which it describes as an unregistered political organisation led by a serving military officer.The society cites Article 208(2) of the Constitution, which requires the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces to remain non-partisan. It argues that PLU’s activities raise questions about the restrictions governing serving military officers’ involvement in partisan politics.ULS has asked the Electoral Commission, the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions to act on what it describes as the organisation’s illegal operations.It has also urged speaker of parliament Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth, deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa and other public office holders to disassociate themselves from PLU.The society’s claims about PLU’s legal status and Singiza’s conduct remain allegations and legal positions, rather than findings established by a court.The PLU endorsement campaign has involved political leaders and supporters in several parts of the country. In October, Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze led a delegation of Tooro MPs to the organisation’s Kampala offices to endorse Muhoozi for the 2031 presidency.The campaign has also attracted criticism from some figures within the ruling party. On October 24, former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo questioned the rush by ministers to endorse a presidential aspirant only months after the general election, saying the trend could reflect a lack of confidence in the incumbent.The ULS statement did not indicate whether Singiza had responded to the demand for his resignation. No response from PLU addressing the society’s specific allegations was available for this report.The post Justice Singiza asked resign over alleged Muhoozi endorsement appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.