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By Spy Uganda
Lawyer Elison Karuhanga has defended the independence of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), accusing its President, Isaac Ssemakadde, of turning the statutory body into a platform for personal disputes and political confrontation instead of strengthening the legal profession.
In a seven-page open letter titled “The Bar Belongs to Us All,” Karuhanga responds to criticism from Ssemakadde, arguing that the debate extends beyond personal differences and concerns the future direction of the Uganda Law Society.
Karuhanga says his loyalty has always been to the institution rather than the individuals who occupy its leadership, noting that throughout his legal career he has served under successive ULS presidents regardless of political or ideological differences.
“I have always been a servant of the Bar,” Karuhanga writes, adding that strengthening institutions requires respecting leaders chosen through democratic processes even when one disagrees with their style or decisions.
The lawyer reveals that despite publicly criticizing what he described as Ssemakadde’s “vulgarity” and divisive leadership style, he defended his right to serve as ULS president after members elected him.
According to Karuhanga, his support was never directed at Ssemakadde as an individual but at preserving the legitimacy and independence of the Uganda Law Society as an institution.
Karuhanga also faulted Ssemakadde for using the Uganda Law Society’s official communication channels to pursue what he described as a personal campaign against fellow advocates.
He argued that official ULS platforms should be reserved for advancing the statutory objectives of the Society and uniting members of the legal profession rather than settling personal scores.
“The Uganda Law Society belongs to all its members,” he states, insisting that no office bearer should use institutional platforms for personal disputes.
Addressing criticism over his response to the arrest of lawyer Erias Lukwago, Karuhanga said the responsibility to speak for advocates lies primarily with the Uganda Law Society as the profession’s statutory representative.
He disclosed that his legal discussion platform deliberately cancelled one of its scheduled online discussions to allow the Uganda Law Society to take the lead in addressing the matter, saying the decision reflected respect for the institution rather than silence on the issue.
A central theme of Karuhanga’s statement is his opposition to what he sees as increasing political alignment within the Uganda Law Society.
While maintaining that lawyers should never remain neutral in the face of injustice, he argues that the Society itself must remain institutionally independent so it can engage all arms of government without being viewed as a political actor.
According to Karuhanga, the ULS should be free to criticize government, the opposition, Parliament, the Judiciary and other institutions whenever legal principles require, without becoming aligned to any political cause.
Karuhanga further challenged Ssemakadde to demonstrate lasting institutional achievements during his tenure, arguing that leadership should be measured by reforms and stronger institutions rather than public statements or media attention.
He questioned what permanent protections had been secured for advocates and what institutional reforms had been achieved under the current leadership.
He also criticized what he described as a culture of division within the legal profession, saying lawyers should be focusing on strengthening judicial independence, protecting advocates and restoring confidence in the administration of justice instead of engaging in personality-driven conflicts.
“The Bar deserves less theatre and more institution-building,” Karuhanga concludes, emphasizing that the Uganda Law Society should outlive the personalities who temporarily lead it and remain an independent institution serving all advocates equally.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/karuhanga-to-ssemakadde-the-bar-belongs-to-us-all-stop-using-uls-for-personal-battles/
