KAMPALA — Prominent Ugandan lawyer and public interest litigator Joshua Okello Patrick, popularly known as “Jokel,” has threatened to take legal action against the United States government should it proceed with sanctions against Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Joshua, a Soroti-based lawyer who describes himself as a “Ugandan Watchman,” said any foreign sanctions targeting Ugandan leaders amount to interference in the country’s sovereignty and internal affairs.
Speaking in a recent public statement, Joshua accused Western countries of attempting to undermine Uganda’s leadership following the January 15, 2026 general elections, which he described as a “masterclass in patriotism” led by Gen. Muhoozi.
“The United Kingdom and United States have provoked the wrong people,” Joshua said. “I act as Uganda’s watchman, ready to defend our leaders and the nation when foreign countries meddle in our affairs.”
History of Legal Challenges
Joshua has in recent years gained attention for filing a series of public interest cases challenging sanctions and criticism directed at senior Ugandan officials by Western governments.
In May 2024, he sued the UK Attorney General at the High Court in Kampala over sanctions imposed on Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, arguing that the measures were unlawful and politically motivated.
After encountering obstacles in Uganda’s courts, he later escalated the matter to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in June 2024, where he accused the court of delaying the case due to what he termed “racism.”
In October 2025, Joshua also filed criminal charges against an exiled music promoter accused of spreading false information about Gen. Muhoozi, Capt. Mike Mukula and President Yoweri Museveni.
Potential Legal Strategy
Sources close to the lawyer indicate that any case against the United States would likely follow the same legal path he pursued in the Anita Among sanctions matter.
At the time, Joshua sought a writ of mandamus aimed at preventing the enforcement of foreign-imposed asset freezes and travel bans in Uganda, arguing that such penalties violate national laws because the targeted officials had not been convicted in Ugandan courts.
Legal analysts, however, have questioned whether Ugandan courts possess the jurisdiction to challenge sovereign decisions taken by foreign governments such as the United States.
Despite the criticism, Joshua insists his campaign is rooted in patriotism and national duty.
“My mission is a sacred duty to protect the image of the Republic and its institutions from colonial mindsets,” he said.
Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Joshua’s latest warning comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Kampala and Washington following the 2026 general elections.
Some members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee have recently called for a reassessment of the US-Uganda security relationship and tougher accountability measures against senior military officials.
The remarks have sparked concern among supporters of the First Family, with Joshua’s threatened legal action emerging as one of the most vocal domestic responses against possible international sanctions.
