NUP lead lawyer Wameli passes away in US

The head of the legal team of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party Anthony Wameli has passed away in the US.

According to a tweet by NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Wameli died today Wednesday in the US where he was taken last year to seek specialized medical attention.

“Very sad day. Just learned of the untimely death of our dear brother and head of the legal team comrade Wameli Anthony from the US. Where he has been admitted for treatment. Details will be provided in due course,” Kyagulanyi tweeted a while ago using his official Twitter handle.

In 2021, Wameli was diagnosed with stage four cancer by the doctors at Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts, US. On September 10, 2021, Uganda Law Society (ULS) named Wameli as the criminal defense lawyer of the year. The ULS annual general meeting also voted Wameli and Company Advocates as the ‘Law Firm of the Year.’ 

Wameli, who was also a pastor at Ebenezer Christian Fellowship in Kanyanya, rose to the limelight in 2017 when he represented suspects accused of murdering former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver, Godfrey Mambewa. 

He was also the legal representative of Jamilu Mukulu, the alleged head of the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and former presidential candidates retired Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde and Kyagulanyi.