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Kampala— Prof. Fredrick Sempebwa, the Senior Counsel Bar of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has issued a strong statement reaffirming the Society’s statutory mandate and non-partisan role, amid growing debate over its involvement in matters related to Uganda’s electoral processes.
In a statement dated Monday 22nd December, signed by Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, Chairperson of the Senior Counsel Bar, the lawyers emphasized that the Uganda Law Society is a professional body established under the Uganda Law Society Act, Cap 276, with a clear legal mandate focused on upholding the rule of law, promoting access to justice, and safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession.
The statement outlines the Society’s core objectives as provided for under Section 3 of the Act, which include maintaining professional standards among advocates, facilitating legal education, representing and protecting members of the legal profession, assisting the public on legal matters, and supporting government and courts on issues affecting legislation and the administration of justice.
According to the Senior Counsel Bar, these objectives underscore ULS’s role as an independent professional body committed to good governance and the rule of law, as reflected in its vision of promoting a skilled and empowered legal profession.
The Bar stressed that central to the Society’s mandate is its non-partisan character, warning that any perception or portrayal of ULS as a political actor undermines its credibility and statutory purpose.
“As an independent professional organization guided by integrity, competence, accountability, and professionalism, the ULS must remain impartial and above partisan politics,” the statement reads, adding that independence enables the Society to advocate effectively for the rule of law without alignment to any political faction.
The Senior Counsel Bar strongly condemned attempts to brand ULS as a partisan body and urged the Society to instead focus on its lawful mandate by gathering credible evidence of electoral irregularities, violence, and breaches of electoral laws. Such evidence, the Bar noted, should be pursued through courts of law or used to advocate for comprehensive electoral reforms.
The statement also condemned ongoing electoral violence and violations of electoral laws, describing them as a threat to democracy, constitutional order, and fundamental human rights. The Bar warned that such acts endanger lives, suppress free expression, and erode public confidence in institutions tasked with managing elections.
“These violations must be addressed swiftly and decisively to restore public confidence in the electoral process and prevent further harm to citizens,” the statement said.
The Senior Counsel Bar concluded by calling upon the leadership and membership of the Uganda Law Society to act in a manner that honors its statutory mandate and to lead by example in defending the rule of law, especially during periods of heightened national tension, while maintaining strict non-partisanship.
Earlier on today, ULS Council issued a statement indicating that it had endorsed Hon.Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for Presidency as well as Erias Lukwago on the position of Kampala Lord Mayor, members were also requested to follow the above position as one of the means of promoting rule of law in the country.
