Uganda and role of the international criminal court | Letter

William Byaruhanga, Uganda's attorney general, says the country's justice system is capable and independent

As Uganda is a signatory to the international criminal court, citizens have every right to lodge cases before it (Ugandan president's son named in ICC complaint over abductions and abuse, 3 May).

Yet the ICC is a court of last resort for countries that, whether for capacity or politicisation, cannot be expected to deliver legal redress. This is not needed in Uganda when the justice system is demonstrably capable and independent. In recent months, its beneficiaries include the leader of the opposition, who successfully petitioned the courts to quash an attempt to deregister his political party. Neither is favour shown to governing party politicians who, rightly, have been prosecuted for breaking Covid restrictions during our recent election campaign.