The newly sworn-in President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Isaac Ssemakadde, has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda for his term.
During his swearing-in ceremony, Ssemakadde reaffirmed his dedication to restoring the integrity of the ULS and upholding the rule of law, as part of his broader advocacy for the rights of Ugandans.
A central priority for Ssemakadde is eliminating the influence of the Attorney General’s office from the ULS council.
He criticised Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, accusing him of being “too drunk on power” and compromising the independence of the legal profession.
Ssemakadde pointed out that the involvement of the Attorney General’s representatives in the ULS council violates United Nations standards for the independence of legal bodies.
To address this, he has already initiated legal action to remove these representatives, signaling the start of his efforts to safeguard the ULS’s autonomy.
Beyond government interference, Ssemakadde pledged to tackle broader societal challenges, including land grabbing, election theft, and corruption.
“ULS doesn’t take instructions from the government but rather from the constitution,” Ssemakadde asserted, accusing the current government of conflating the two.
He vowed not to rest until the rights of the people are fully protected and justice is delivered.
With a clear vision for reform and a firm commitment to justice, both the legal fraternity and the public are keenly watching to see how Ssemakadde’s leadership will shape the future of the Uganda Law Society.
