Lawyer Jude Byamukama has announced that the Court of Appeal will hear applications No. 749 and 750 of 2024 on January 15, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The applications seek to overturn Justice Musa Ssekaana’s injunction that halted the Uganda Law Society (ULS) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and elections planned for December 17, 2024.
The injunction, issued by the High Court’s Civil Division, arose from a legal challenge filed by Hashim Mugisha Mugisha, a ULS member, questioning the legitimacy of the EGM and the process by which key leadership positions were declared vacant.
Mugisha argued that the suspension of ULS Secretary Phillip Munaabi and Central Region Representative Geoffrey Turyamusiima was unlawful and procedurally improper. He also sought to nullify the removal of ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde and Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, claiming their ousting contravened the ULS Council Charter.
The application listed the ULS Council and Interim Secretary Eddy Nangulu as respondents, alongside prominent lawyers including Steven Kalali, Professor Christopher Mbazira, and Elison Karuhanga, who had declared their interest in running for elective positions.
Kalali and others defended the EGM’s legitimacy, stating it adhered to prior court directives in Miscellaneous Cause No. 129 of 2024 Kalali vs ULS. They also noted that nominations for positions, such as representatives to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), had already been completed, with candidates paying nomination fees.
“This is an attempt to block critical discussions and elections necessary for the society’s progress,” Kalali argued.
Despite these defenses, Justice Ssekaana ruled to maintain the status quo, granting a temporary injunction to prevent further internal discord. The ruling reinstated Munaabi and Turyamusiima to their council roles and restrained the ULS from holding the EGM or implementing council decisions made on November 24, 2024.
The decision has deepened divisions within ULS, as leadership struggles persist. President Isaac Ssemakadde had convened the EGM to address issues such as electing representatives to statutory bodies and replacing suspended members. He also raised concerns about the legitimacy of existing JSC representatives, citing a 2024 High Court ruling that declared the current appointment practices unconstitutional.
The Court of Appeal’s hearing in January 2025 is expected to be pivotal in resolving the leadership crisis and shaping the future of the ULS. Both sides anticipate a landmark ruling that could either uphold or overturn the controversial injunction.