Fourteen candidates vying for the position of Uganda Law Society (ULS) representatives on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have joined forces to defend the independence of the ULS, following a court ruling they claim undermines the organization’s autonomy.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the ULS headquarters in Kampala, the candidates, through Acting ULS Chief Executive Officer Christine Awori, issued a joint statement expressing concern over a decision by Justice Musa Ssekaana to block an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) where elections for ULS representatives to the JSC were set to take place.

Justice Ssekaana’s ruling, delivered on December 13, 2024, followed a petition by ULS member Hashim Mugisha, who questioned the legality of the meeting and the process by which the vacancies arose. The decision also reinstated two officials, Phillip Munaabi and Geoffrey Turyamusiima, to their previous ULS Council positions.

The candidates described the ruling as a threat to the legal fraternity’s independence and warned of its potential to erode the rule of law in Uganda. They argued that the judgment undermines the ULS’s constitutional mandate and professional integrity, calling it an assault on democracy within the legal profession.

In their joint statement, the candidates pledged to uphold the independence of the ULS and outlined four key actions:

1. Resisting External Interference: They vowed to oppose any attempts to turn the ULS into a tool for external interests.

2. Legal Challenges: They committed to using lawful means to counter actions threatening ULS autonomy.

3. Mobilizing Support: The candidates called on all members of the legal fraternity, including judges, advocates, and legal scholars, to unite in defense of the ULS.

4. Backing Leadership: They expressed support for ULS leadership’s efforts to protect the organization’s independence through legal and institutional avenues.

ULS lawyer Jude Byamukama emphasized the urgency of holding elections, warning that the absence of ULS representatives on the JSC would leave the commission incomplete and unable to lawfully carry out its mandate, including the recruitment and appointment of judicial officers. He described Justice Ssekaana’s ruling as judicial overreach, arguing that it interferes with the democratic processes of the ULS.

The dispute traces back to a decision by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde to recall two lawyers, Ruth Sebantindira and Norah Matovu Winyi, from their roles as ULS nominees to the JSC. Ssemakadde’s action followed a High Court ruling in February 2024, which declared the practice of appointing ULS representatives without elections a violation of the ULS Act and election regulations.

Mugisha’s petition, which led to Justice Ssekaana’s injunction, questioned both the legality of the EGM and the procedures for filling the vacant posts.

The legal fraternity has reacted strongly to Justice Ssekaana’s ruling. The ULS has rescinded the Award of Excellence previously granted to him in 2021, demanding its return and removal from his records. ULS President Ssemakadde also issued an executive order urging members to boycott Ssekaana for at least a month.

The candidates reiterated their commitment to ensuring the ULS remains a symbol of justice and accountability, vowing not to relent in defending its autonomy. They warned that allowing interference in the society’s operations would set a dangerous precedent for the legal profession and justice system in Uganda.

The ULS and its candidates continue to push for immediate elections, emphasizing that the integrity of the JSC depends on full representation from the legal fraternity. As tensions persist, the broader implications of the ruling on the rule of law and judicial independence in Uganda remain a central concern.