Law Society to Appeal Ruling Halting Extra Ordinary General Meeting

By Mukwaba Katende

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has declared to appeal a high court ruling that temporarily stopped extraordinary general meeting in which they were to resolve emerging issues including voting for two representatives to the Judicial Service commission (JSC).

The orders halting the general meeting were issued yesterday evening by Justice Musa Ssekaana,the head of the Civil Division of the high court. Justice Ssekaana ordered the decision to stay in place until the main cases that have been filed before the court challenging the process that was leading to the election of two representatives to the Judicial Service Commission are determined.

This decision has sparked tension from stakeholders with ULS Council member and JSC nominee candidate Karuhanga Elison protests to challenge the ruling in court of appeal.

In a statement Karuhanga said that the decision is a “blockade on democratic progress” with in with in the Law Society.

The ULS under their president Isaac Ssemakadde was in final stages to hold the general meeting on Tuesday next week to vote for the two representatives to the Judicial Service Commission and also seal the firing of the secretary to the Council Mr. Phillip Munabi and Georfrey Turyamusiima as the Council member representing the central region on the Uganda Law Society Council.

Mr. Munabi and Mr. Turyamusiima had been knifed from holding the responsibility after a failed attempt to oust their boss Isaac Ssemakadde and his Vice president Anthony Asimwe.

Ssemakadde had already issued a list of nominee lawyers cleared to contest to represent the Uganda Law Society to the Judicial Service Commission in which he disqualify Phiona Nabasa Wall, one of the former presidents of the ULS citing issues with her past leadership.

In the ruling Justice Ssekaana further agreed with the applicants Hashim Mugisha and Pheona Nabasa Wall, that the planned meeting and elections were tainted with procedural irregularities and illegal suspension of Council members.