Robert Amsterdam, a lead counsel of Amsterdam and Partners LLB, the international law firm retained by Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi has been declared persona non grata by the Ugandan authorities.
That means that Amsterdam cannot represent Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) in Ugandan Courts of Law.
“I have already been banned entry from Uganda over #FreeBobiWine. But our role in terms of international advocacy shall continue as before,” Amsterdam told Matooke Republic.
The Latin phrase ‘persona non grata’ means that a foreign person whose entering or remaining in a particular country is prohibited by that country’s government.
According to fellow Lawyer Medard Sseggona, Amsterdam’s role was meant to be research and advisory in the first place and government’s move to block him simply portrays them as panicky.
“It would imply the government thinks Amsterdam can only be useful if he is in Kampala. We can work with any lawyer across the globe,” Sseggona said.
Bobi Wine and the 33 other co-accused are currently in Gulu Magistrates Court for their bail hearing.
They are charged with treason after a stone said to be thrown by their supporters crashed the rear glass of one of the presidential vehicles in Arua on Monday, August 13.