ULS asks Court of Appeal to fast-track case on Munaabi, Turyamusiima suspension

Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called on the Court of Appeal to expedite the hearing of its case regarding the legality of suspension of Advocates Phillip Munaabi and Geoffrey Turyamusiima, amid growing concerns over governance integrity within the legal fraternity.

Munaabi (then Secretary General) and Turyamusiima (council member) were suspended from the ULS Council in November last year over allegations of attempting to overthrow President Isaac Ssemakadde and Vice President Anthony Asiimwe.

The pair was accused of unauthorized dissemination of documents aimed at undermining the leadership, leading to disciplinary action by the Council.

However, following their suspension, the duo appealed their removal from the council through the high court and on 14 February 2025, Justice Musa Ssekaana ruled that the Uganda Law Society Act does not empower any individual or council to unilaterally suspend elected members without due process.

The Judge, in his ruling, stressed that such actions must be endorsed by a General Assembly vote, rendering the suspensions and subsequent interim appointments invalid.

Despite the court’s decision, Munaabi went on to circulate a notice for an “Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting” on Monday, 24 February 2025, without consulting other Council members, an act that the ULS denounced as a direct violation of the High Court’s decision.

Addressing the press at the Radical New Bar’s weekly press briefing in Kampala, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe condemned the unlawful actions of Munaabi, who, on 24 February 2025, circulated a deceptive notice for an “Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting” without consulting Council members.

This move, according to the Bar Vice President, is “a clear contempt of the High Court decision in Miscellaneous Cause No. 263 of 2024, which emphasized that the Secretary’s mandate is exercised in consultation with the Council.”

Asiimwe described Munaabi’s actions as part of a larger pattern of behaviour that led to his initial suspension from the Council and a subsequent criminal complaint against him and his accomplices and called on the Appelate court to fast-track the case hearing.

“We urge the Court of Appeal to expedite the hearing of our appeal to determine the legality of the Council’s decision to suspend an errant member pending a decision of the General Assembly,” he stated.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to protect the interests of the ULS and its members. We advise members to remain calm and ignore Munaabi’s erratic behaviour, as he will be held accountable eventually,” Asiimwe added.

The Uganda Law Society reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the interests of its members and maintaining its governance structures as it awaits the outcome of the Court of Appeal’s decision, which is expected to set a critical precedent for the enforcement of procedural fairness within the lawyers’ body.