ULS distances self from organized protests over Lawyer Kiiza’s detention

Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has distanced itself from what it calls “cowardly attempts” by individuals aiming to coerce the organization into sanctioning protests over the recent detention of one of its members, Advocate Eron Kiiza.

In a statement issued Wednesday, January 08, 2025, ULS President, Isaac K. Ssemakadde criticized the spread of deliberate misrepresentations via social media and unofficial press releases, which, he said, aim to manipulate the institution into taking uncalculated actions.

“The Uganda Law Society categorically repudiates the cowardly attempts by certain individuals to provoke and manipulate our institution into sanctioning protest actions regarding the recent detention of one of our members,” read in part Ssemakadde’s Wednesday statement released via his official X handle.

“These deliberate misrepresentations, particularly through social media and self-proclaimed press statements, appear designed to goad the Society into precipitous action outside our established institutional framework,” he added.

As the statutory regulator of the legal profession, Ssemakadde emphasized that the ULS operates through rigorous protocols and informed responses.” He further warned against self-seeking individuals who falsely portray their personal initiatives as being endorsed by the Society.

“Those self-seekers attempting to present their private initiatives as ULS-endorsed activities, or to portray the Society as backing their personal agendas, do a disservice to both the profession and our ongoing institutional efforts,” he stressed.

Clarifying the stance on ULS providing legal aid to protesters, Ssemakadde asserted that society only does so on an “after-the-fact basis,” depending on resource availability and the voluntary participation of its members.

“While we respect the citizen’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly, we will not be pressured or manipulated into premature before-the-event commitments or other rash actions that could compromise our independence,” he explained, reiterating ULS’ commitment to supporting its members and addressing the current situation as per “Section 10 of the Uganda Law Society Act, Cap 305.”

The development comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions after the detention of a ULS member, Eron Kiiza, who was arrested and remanded by the General Court Martial at Makindye over what it called contempt of court.

Kiiza, who is among the 40 lawyers representing four-time presidential candidate and veteran Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye was charged and sent on remand in absenture following his arrest during a Wednesday afternoon court session.

The arrest, detention and eventual remand of the lawyer at the military court has prompted calls for protests from what Ssemakadde described as social media activists. He, however, categorically stated that the Law Society he heads is neither endorsing nor involved in these pre-organized protests and urged adherence to its structured processes.