We need harmony between Judiciary and Law Society
Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo (L) hosts Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde at his residence in Nakasero, Kampala on November 1, 2024. PHOTO/HANDOUT
What you need to know:
- The issue: Tension between the Uganda Law Society and the Judiciary.
- Our view:Our appeal is for a neutral arbiter to be immediately appointed to mediate this impasse between the Judiciary and Uganda Law Society before the matter gets out of hand.
Tension between the leadership of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the Judiciary seems to get worse with each passing day.
The genesis of the acrimony stems from the alleged insult of Justice Musa Ssekaana by Uganda Law Society president Isaac Ssemakadde following the contempt of court judgment in which Justice Ssekaana sent lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi to jail for 18 months.
During last Friday’s opening of the New Law Year 2025, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo demanded that Mr Ssemakadde apologise to Justice Ssekaana if the relationship between the two justice institutions is to be mended.
The head of the Judiciary vowed to take action against Mr Ssemakadde if he did not apologise, and he started his retaliatory actions by banning the Uganda Law Society president from speaking at the New Law Year event.
The world over, the Bar (lawyers) protects the Bench (judicial officers) and does not attack them.
In the past, the leadership of the Uganda Law Society stood with the Judiciary when attacked.
For example, in 2005 during the infamous siege of the High Court by the Black Mamba in an attempt to rearrest former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Kizza Besigye and 22 People's Redemption Army (PRA) suspects after a judge granted them bail, Uganda Law Society in solidarity protested against the unconstitutional move.
This acrimonious relationship between the Judiciary and Uganda Law Society is not good for Ugandans seeking justice.
We appeal to the leadership of the Uganda Law Society and that of the Judiciary to bury their differences and open a new chapter of the relationship between the Bench and the Bar.
At the time of writing this editorial, the vice president of the lawyers’ association, Mr Anthony Asiimwe, had written a protest note to the Chief Justice about the embarrassing events that happened during the New Law Year.
The vice president of the Uganda Law Society accused the Chief Justice of weaponising the Judiciary to harass, intimidate and silence the lawyers.
The opening of the New Law Year climaxed with Mr Ssemakadde walking out of the event prematurely after being told off that he was not going to give his remarks as a disciplinary action for demeaning judges.
Our appeal is for a neutral arbiter to be immediately appointed to mediate this impasse between the Judiciary and Uganda Law Society before the matter gets out of hand.
