Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Law Society (ULS) Council has suspended with immediate effect, it’s Secretary General, Mr Phillip Munaabi and Geoffrey Turyamusiima over the alleged attempt to overthrow Isaac Ssemakadde and his Vice Anthony Asiimwe from ULS Presidency.
Ssemakadde in a Sunday statement released after an impromptu electronic meeting condemned Munaabi’s unauthorized actions whom he accused of working with Turyamusiima to mastermind the overthrow of his reign as ULS President.
During the meeting attended by the majority of Council members, including the Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, Treasurer Arthur Isiko, and regional representatives Eddie Nangulu (Eastern), Samuel Muhumuza (Western), and Emmanuel Egaru (Northern), Lawyer Ssemakadde revealed that the Council had become aware of two documents which were purportedly signed by Munaabi and circulated widely on social media on Saturday evening.
“The document has been confirmed as the unauthorized work of two Council members: Phillip Munaabi and Geoffrey Turyamusiima (hereinafter referred to as “the minority”),” a statement released by Ssemakadde said in a Sunday statement released vis his official X account.
“For absolute clarity and avoidance of doubt, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Council Members representing the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions (constituting the majority of Council) hereby categorically repudiate the above-mentioned documents, confirming they were neither consulted nor involved in their creation or dissemination.”
The council further expressed grave concern over a pattern of subversive conduct by Munaabi and Turyamusiima among which included unauthorized disclosures of confidential information, fraudulent use of a Council member’s signature, strategic absenteeism from Council meetings, and attempts to undermine the Society’s integrity by circulating false documents and portraying the organization as dysfunctional.
This, Ssemakadde said, resulted in the suspension of the duo with immediate effect, and their fate of permanent removal from the council set to be determined in the Dec 17 ULS General Meeting.
“In response to these actions, the Council, by majority decision, suspended Munaabi and Turyamusiima with immediate effect.” Their removal from office will be determined at a general meeting scheduled for 17th December 2024.
In the meantime, ULS appointed Eddie Nangulu as interim Secretary replacing Munaabi, as the council looks forward to the general meeting for a permanent decision on the position.
Legal analysts argue that the ongoing war between Ssemakadde and Munaabi’s camp may lead to a prolonged legal battle, further dividing the ULS and eroding its public image which could further damage the ULS’ credibility, particularly with donors and partners critical to its legal aid programs.
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