The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced the expulsion of Justice Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka and the Solicitor General.
Following the executive order issued by the newly elected president of ULS, Isaac Ssemakadde, the representatives of these two officials have also been dismissed.
According to Ssemakadde, the decision aims to restore the public’s trust in lawyers due to growing concerns about honesty and accountability in the Ugandan legal system.
However, he stated that despite the resignation, Kiwanuka will remain a member of ULS.
“ULS, through its newly elected council, in exercise of its constitutional and statutory mandate and unwavering commitment to the rule of law, issues this executive order as a bold and necessary step to restore public faith in the lawyer and protect independence. Member of the Law Society of Uganda,” he said.
“According to this order, AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka Nsumikambi Mugambe is no longer recognized as the head of the Bar and has no power or authority whatsoever to act for or on behalf of or represent the Uganda Bar. However, he remains a member of the Uganda Law Society.”
The Society raised a number of concerns, including the conduct of the Ugandan AG, including conflicts of interest, as the AG and a lawyer sat on the ULS council on their own initiative.
It called the presence of the two ex-officials a “colonial hangover at odds with the autonomy of the Radical New Bar”.
The ULS president referred to the forensic investigations into professional misconduct by the AG that it has initiated.
Ssemakadde further said that the AG had breached the constitution related to his private practice and financial malfeasance related to land compensation amounting to UG28.8 billion.
He is also accused of allegedly misleading the government on issues related to the independence of the judiciary, which has led to legal consequences, and of interfering in the appointments of judges, which has eroded public confidence in the judiciary.
“AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka Nsumikambi Mugambe is accused of imposing a highly unpopular, unjust and unconstitutional decision on the Uganda Law Reform Commission to require a fee for digital access to Ugandan laws, which is previously unthinkable, preventing justice and the rule of law.”