Kampala, (UG):- Renowned Human Rights Lawyer, Ladislaus Kiiza Rwakafuzi Wednesday received the pioneer Radical New Bar (RNB) ‘Demilitarization Award’ from the Uganda Law Society (ULS) as a token of appreciation for his relentless pursuit of justice and dedicated spirit in defending the rights of Uganda’s most vulnerable.
The prestigious award, handed over at RNB’s weekly press briefing at ULS House in Kampala, also recognized the Senior Advocate’s lifetime commitment to fighting for an independent, demilitarized judiciary and his pivotal role in advancing human rights.
In a citation read on his behalf by Advocate Mary Gorretti Nakamya, the Spokesperson-Back On Track Think-Tank, ULS President, Mr Isaac Ssemakadde commended Rwakafuzi’s courage and persistence, particularly in challenging the unconstitutional trial of civilians in military courts.
Through decades of unwavering advocacy before municipal and international courts and tribunals, the RNB president hailed him [Rwakafuzi] for fundamentally reshaping Uganda’s legal landscape, though at a devastating personal cost.
“He chose this punishing path, forsaking lucrative opportunities to stand with the most vulnerable, even as his health faltered and a stroke threatened to silence his voice for justice,” Mr Ssemakadde noted.
“Today, we not only honour his extraordinary courage in demilitarizing the administration of justice – we pledge, as the Radical New Bar, to pursue his long-overdue appointment as Senior Counsel under the Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations 2018.”
Comrade Ladi, you embody the highest ideals of our profession, reminding us that true justice demands not just legal expertise, but the courage to suffer alongside those we defend. Your path lights the way forward for a new generation of advocates who understand that the price of justice, though steep, must always be paid by those strong enough to bear it.
Ugandans urged to ‘uphold rule of law’
In his acceptance remarks at the award ceremony, Rwakafuzi, a highly recognized human rights lawyer and defender, expressed profound gratitude to the ULS for the award bestowed upon him but emphasized the importance of the rule of law.
“I’m very grateful for the award. Thank you very much,” Rwakafuzi said, emphasising the foundational role of legitimate expectation in justice. “A person who takes the right foot should not fall into a pit unless he has committed an offence, which is very well known. So the rule of law is based on a legitimate expectation.”
The Senior Advocate recounted his experiences during Uganda’s turbulent political history, including witnessing the overthrow of Amin in 1971 and the arrival of the National Resistance Army (NRA) in Kampala.
![](https://dailyexpress.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Rwakafuzi-speaking-to-the-media.jpg)
Rwakafuzi described the imposition of peace by the NRA, stating; “They really ushered in peace, it’s as if they brought it in a bag and they ushered it there.”
He, however, warned of the dangers of history repeating itself, noting, “I can see that things are going back to where we came from. If we don’t stand up and demand that we need the rule of law, we shall go back to where we came from, and it’s going to be very difficult to come back.”
On the rampant abductions and gross violation of human rights in the country, Rwakafuzi expressed deep concern over the injustices Ugandans suffer drawing parallels to the injustices that the 1986 revolution sought to end.
“The people who came in 1986, people being abducted, you people, we need to do something,” he said.
Despite suffering a stroke and other health challenges, the Senior Lawyer, who is a bedrock of human rights activism remains optimistic that one day, justice will be served for Ugandans.
“I’ve been down with a stroke, and I saw what happened in 2021. I saw blood on the streets during that election. It is very, very, very sad. I think we should not go back to that,” Rwakafuzi warned.
He urged Ugandans to uphold the rule of law and resist authoritarian practices. “Everybody should, either through prayer or through whatever a person can do, we should do something for us to have the rule of law again.”
Rwakafuzi, now 63 years old, has devoted his entire legal career to defending the marginalized. His pivotal role in the defense of Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye in 2005 marked a turning point in Uganda’s legal landscape.
At that time, Besigye and his co-accused faced grave charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms before the General Court Martial, but it was Rwakafuzi’s tenacious efforts that led to the transfer of the case to the High Court, setting a precedent that safeguarded the democratic right of presidential aspirants to campaign without the looming threat of military justice.
His advocacy also bore fruit in the landmark case of Michael Kabaziguruka v. Attorney General (2016), where the Constitutional Court declared the practice of trying civilians in military courts unconstitutional.
Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Rwakafuzi chose a path of self-sacrifice, often forsaking lucrative opportunities to stand with those whose lives were shattered by military justice.
The ULS President Ssemakadde pledged to pursue Rwakafuzi’s long-overdue appointment as Senior Counsel under the Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations 2018.
“Your resilience in the face of calculated systemic resistance, your willingness to be broken so others might find justice, and your unflinching dedication even as your health and practice suffered – these testify to a legacy that transcends legal victories,” Ssemakadde noted.
The Radical New Bar’s recognition of Rwakafuzi comes just days to the long-waited monumental ruling in the Michael Kabaziguruka case vs the State Prosecution which is expected to be delivered by the Supreme Court of Uganda on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Send us your story or opinion on: dailyexpressug@gmail.com. You can also follow Daily Express on WhatsApp for all the latest news and updates.
![](https://dailyexpress.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/logo.png)