By Nathan Eyagu

Soroti City – The legal arena is heating up ahead of a highly anticipated court session scheduled for April 29th, as prominent Public Interest Lawyer Counsel Joshua Okello has been dragged to court over his legal representation of Hon. Mike Mukula and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among.

The petition, filed by Counsel Opio Emmanuel, accuses Okello of overstepping legal bounds by openly defending the political figures.

In an explosive and unapologetic response, Okello has dismissed the case as baseless and politically motivated, describing the petition as “bogus” and “dead on arrival.”

“I have had the privilege of reading through the pleadings of that lawyer and it is to my informed opinion that no cause of action is disclosed,” said Okello. “I’m wondering if he intends court to campaign for what he calls good leaders — which I must say is not court’s duty. The pleadings are really wanting.”

Counsel Okello went on to question the legal competence of his accuser, boldly asserting that Counsel Opio may not have gone through any meaningful legal training.

“Has that applicant even done paralegal work, let alone law school? His move depicts being a bush lawyer, totally uninformed and a disgrace to the legal fraternity. He is on a fishing expedition.”

Okello is not only confident in his defense but is also gearing up to counterattack with a counterclaim for defamation, claiming the allegations are both “unfounded and embarrassing.”

“I will ask for a lot of damages to teach him and his funders a lesson,” he stated. “Should he fail to provide sufficient evidence, he will have inserted his finger in a leopard’s orifice — good enough, April 29th is not far.”

The veteran lawyer also invoked Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience, expression, and association — rights he says protect his ability to defend whomever he chooses.

“It’s my constitutional right to defend Hon. Mike Mukula and Speaker Anita Among the same way he is defending or supporting Echodu Calvin. What matters in a legal ring is not numbers but the presentation of facts,” Okello emphasized.

Known for his relentless advocacy and courtroom prowess, Okello took a moment to highlight his impressive legal track record:

- In 2021, he famously defended President Yoweri Museveni when controversial blogger Fred Lumbuye claimed the president had died.  

- He won a landmark case against the Attorney General and Soroti City Council, which set legal precedence.  

- He made international headlines by suing both the British and American governments over sanctions imposed on Speaker Anita Among — a case that caused such discomfort that, according to Okello, they blocked him and left the matter pending with no hearing date.

“I put them on a frying pan to the extent that they blocked me. They felt embarrassed being challenged by me,” he noted with pride.

He also reinforced his personal philosophy and Christian faith as guiding principles in his legal work.

“I have never lost a case in my life. I do Public Interest Litigation as a pro bono service for the voiceless and the oppressed. I don’t ask for money — I usually win because I defend the truth. And according to the Bible, the truth sets you free.”

Okello also challenged his opponents to bring their best legal teams to court.

“I request the public to come and witness the truth. Let his funders add him more lawyers — I will stand alone. Okello Joshua is not a joking subject,” he warned.

Wrapping up with a powerful legal doctrine, Okello stated:

“I will stand by the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur — a Latin phrase which means ‘the facts speak for themselves.’ Court will determine who is a champion among the two of us.”

As the court date draws near, all eyes will be on Soroti, where what began as a legal petition is shaping up to be a dramatic showdown between two lawyers with vastly different reputations.