Court Adjourns Case Challenging Ssemakadde's AG Expulsion

The case, filed by ULS members Tony Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima, challenges ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde's decision to expel the two government lawyers from their ex officio roles on the ULS Council.

The High Court in Kampala was the site of a tense legal standoff as a case involving the removal of Uganda’s Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Solicitor General from the Uganda Law Society (ULS) Council faced a setback due to the absence of presiding Magistrate Esta Nambayo.

A gathering of lawyers, eager to witness the proceedings, were left in suspense as the case was rescheduled to November 13.

The case, filed by ULS members Tony Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima, challenges ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde's decision to expel the two government lawyers from their ex officio roles on the ULS Council.

Mr Ssemakadde’s directive, issued on October 14, cited allegations of professional misconduct, conflicts of interest, and dubious financial dealings involving Kiwanuka, including a reported Shs 28.8 billion in land compensation disputes.

In their petition, Tumukunde and Byamazima argue that Ssemakadde’s executive action is unlawful and threatens the integrity of the ULS Council as defined by the ULS Act.

They contend that the expulsion jeopardizes the Council’s legitimacy, leaving its decisions open to legal challenge and potential invalidation.

The petitioners also warn that the move could disrupt the rights of ULS members and erode public trust in the governance of professional bodies.

Representing the petitioners, lawyer Anthony Bazira urged the Court to grant an interim injunction halting the expulsion pending a ruling, emphasizing that the ULS would not be harmed by a temporary restraining order.

Bazira argued that without the Attorney General and Solicitor General, decisions made by the ULS Council could have far-reaching effects on ULS members and the public, possibly causing irreversible damage.

On the opposing side, lawyer Jude Byamukama, representing Ssemakadde and the ULS, contended that maintaining the independence of the ULS requires limiting governmental influence on its Council.

Byamukama argued that this issue is about protecting the principle of independence rather than a personal clash between Ssemakadde and Kiwanuka.

With the adjournment, all parties now await the next session, which is expected to further address the legality of Ssemakadde’s executive order and the broader implications of this high-stakes dispute.