Kampala, (UG): Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Ssemakadde has rejected the nomination of Anthony Conrad Kakooza as the ULS representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), barely a week after rejecting Pheona Wall Nabasa’s candidature for the same position.
In a brief statement on Saturday, December 7, Ssemakadde said Kakooza’s rejection is connected to his alleged failure to uphold principles of natural justice during his tenure as Dean of Law at Uganda Christian University (UCU), where he chaired a disciplinary process deemed controversial and procedurally flawed.
At that time (2016), Kakooza oversaw the expulsion of two law students following protests against a 12.5% tuition hike, but the High Court would later rule that the decision he [Kakooza] took violated natural justice, noting that the students were not given a fair hearing or proper notice.
The court presided over by Justice Margaret Mutonyi questioned the integrity of the process, highlighting that the expulsion letters were dated a day before the alleged protest. Although the university claimed it was a typographical error, this was dismissed as unconvincing.
The Judge also condemned the disciplinary process as “ruthless, unchristian, and inhuman” and ruled that the bodies recommending expulsion had acted beyond their authority leading to an overturn of the university’s decision.
Based on this, Ssemakadde argues that Kakooza’s involvement in such a flawed process automatically disqualifies him from representing ULS in the JSC, a body that oversees judicial recruitment and discipline.
“If Kakooza could not uphold natural justice in a university setting, how can we entrust him with a role that demands impartiality and fairness at the highest level of judicial recruitment?” he questioned, emphasizing that individuals in such roles must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to fairness and natural justice.
Kakooza’s rejection has sparked mixed reactions within the legal fraternity, fueling a broader debate on leadership and accountability. The controversy comes as ULS prepares for its first-ever democratic election to select a JSC representative, setting a precedent for rigorous candidate scrutiny.
But Ssemakadde maintains that the ULS Judicial Service Commission nomination holds significant influence, as the commission plays a key role in judicial appointments and maintaining the independence of the judiciary.
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