Kampala, (UG):- Human rights activist and prominent city lawyer, Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde has been elected President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS).
Ssemakadde defeated his competitor Isaac Atukunda by a huge margin at all eight polling stations in the tense Saturday election held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Popularly known as the ‘Legal Rebel’, Ssemakadde polled a total of 2101 votes to emerge victorious, while Atukunda received 898 votes with a total of 12 invalid votes recorded on the evening.
He now replaces Bernard Oundo who concluded his second term as ULS president since 2022 on the same evening following the election outcome.
In his victory speech, Ssemakadde, also executive director of Kampala-based rights watchdog Legal Brains Trust, pledged to serve with integrity and tackle moral bankruptcy within the judiciary
“We are at a point where advocates shy away from everything and they even promote shyness as a value or virtue. But now we are back on track. Ssemakadde and the executive he leads have one client now, which is the bar. Call me at 3 am and report the dimwits, rotten tomatoes and the dead wood,” he said.
“This victory belongs to all of us – each member who believes in the strength of our collective voice, the power of justice, and the importance of unity in our legal fraternity.”
Road to ULS Presidency
During his countrywide tours and campaigns, Ssemakadde, known for his fearless and unconventional approach to defending justice and equality, vowed to champion structural reforms at ULS.
En route to the Presidency, Ssemakade received several endorsements from high-profile lawyers including retired Justice Prof George Kanyeihamba who publicly said “there is no one that can defeat Ssemakadde in the ULS presidential race”.
“I am so happy that when the President-elect. I call him elect because I don’t think anybody can beat him heard that I was not well, he made an effort, broke his campaign trail to come and see me,” Prof Kayeihamba said, urging those who believe in him and in his policies to vote for Ssemakadde.
“I have no contestation whatsoever in endorsing the candidature of the person who is sitting next to me as a presidential candidate for the presidency of the Uganda Law Society,” he said.
DP Veteran politician and EALA representative Fred Mukasa Mbidde Friday endorsed Ssemakadde saying his ability to execute tasks is unmatched. He was joined by Makerere University law lecturer Dr. Busingye Kabumba who also threw his weight behind the maverick lawyer.
“I have no doubt that if we elect Ssemakadde as ULS President, we might probably come to regret it. At the same time, I am equally convinced that, if we do not elect him as ULS President on 28th September 2024, we shall most definitely regret it,” Dr Kabumba said.
The race for ULS Presidency became a two-man chase after Kenneth Kipaalu quit the race at the start of the week. Kipaalu didn’t reveal why he quit the race
As Law Society President, Isaac Ssemakade will serve for the next two years after which an election will be held.
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