KAMPALA — Uganda is reflecting on the life and legacy of veteran lawyer and Buganda Kingdom statesman Peter Mulira, remembered not simply for his passing, but for a lifetime devoted to justice, intellect, and public service.
Across the legal fraternity and cultural institutions, Mulira is being honoured as a towering figure whose influence shaped constitutional thought, governance, and the defence of civil liberties in Uganda.
The Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII) paid tribute to Mulira’s role in one of Uganda’s landmark constitutional cases, where he stood firmly on the side of the rule of law.
“We honour the late Peter Mulira (MHSRP), who, with others, appeared for the Uganda Law Society in Uganda Law Society v Attorney General (Const. Petition No. 18 of 2005), a landmark case affirming that military interference and unlawful military trials of civilians violate liberty, fair trial, and jurisdictional limits,” ULII said.
That case remains a cornerstone in Uganda’s constitutional jurisprudence, reinforcing the boundaries between military authority and civilian justice.
Fellow lawyers and public figures have described Mulira as a man of rare intellect and conviction. Lawyer Kiiza Eron praised his lifelong commitment to justice and national service.
“The late Peter Mulira was an astute lawyer blessed with a sharp mind which he put in service of his nation, Uganda, and his people of Buganda,” Kiiza said.
“He wielded the law against corruption, oppression and injustice. He spoke his mind through his legal practice, his leadership and his pen.”
Beyond the courtroom, Mulira was a respected figure within the Buganda Kingdom, where he served as a minister and trusted advisor on governance and constitutional matters. His work helped bridge the complex relationship between traditional institutions and the modern Ugandan state.
Colleagues often referred to him as a “walking encyclopedia,” a reflection of his deep knowledge of law, history, and public affairs. To many young lawyers, he was more than a scholar — he was a mentor whose example set a standard for integrity and courage in legal practice.
Mulira’s voice, whether in court, public discourse, or writing, consistently championed accountability and the rule of law. His arguments were not only technically sound but grounded in a broader vision of justice and national progress.
As tributes continue to pour in, many agree that his legacy will endure through the principles he defended and the generations he inspired.
His life’s work stands as a reminder that the law, when guided by integrity and courage, remains one of the most powerful tools for safeguarding freedom and shaping a just society.
