“The rich and powerful take what they want” is reminiscent of themes from The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), a movie based on Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel.
The story follows Edmond Dantès, a man betrayed and imprisoned by powerful individuals.
The same is happening in our dear Uganda where justice is a commodity only the rich and powerful can afford.
This week, we witnessed a heartbreaking and infuriating example of how the law is bent to serve the interests of the elite while ruthlessly punishing the powerless.
Remember Mathew Kanyamunyu? A well-connected businessman who shot and killed Kenneth Akena in cold blood, walked away with a slap on the wrist—just five years in prison for taking a life.
Meanwhile, a maid who pleaded guilty to torturing a child was sentenced to 40 years in prison without legal representation.
Yes, 40 years—two life sentences with remission. I don’t have any soft spot for criminals but fairness is at the helm of justice. She committed a crime and it’s the duty of the state to investigate and prosecute her. But was she given a fair trial? Was the law applied equally?
Absolutely not.
How do you sentence someone to 40 years within hours of her first court appearance, without giving her access to legal counsel?
Where is the due process?
The truth is, she was too poor to afford a lawyer and too powerless to challenge a system designed to crush the weak.
Her sentence wasn’t about justice; it was about making an example of someone who couldn’t fight back.
But let’s contrast that with the treatment of the elite.
Kanyamunyu’s connections to one of Museveni’s daughters allowed him to virtually walk away with murder.
Then there are corrupt officials like Michael Mawanda, Anita Among, and Dicksons Kateshumbwa, who have stolen over 500 billion shillings combined.
Where are their jail sentences? Why are they walking free while the poor rot in prison for far lesser crimes?
This is the Uganda of Museveni—a country where justice depends on your wealth, your connections, and your proximity to power.
The courts are weaponized against the weak, while the powerful live above the law. Museveni’s regime has created two parallel justice systems: one for the rich and another for the poor.
The maid’s case is not an isolated incident. It is a reflection of a deeply broken system that criminalizes poverty while protecting corruption and privilege. Her atrocities may warrant punishment, but justice demands fairness, due process, and equality under the law—none of which she received.
Museveni’s regime thrives on corruption, inequality, injustice, and impunity