Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has turned to mediation in a renewed bid to resolve a series of legal disputes that have stalled its Annual General Meeting (AGM), frozen elections, and disrupted key statutory functions over the past two years.
Addressing members during the 19th Radical New Bar (RNB) Live session on Thursday, June 11 at ULS Chambers in Kololo, Vice President Asiimwe Anthony said the Society remains committed to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the preferred route to ending the prolonged wrangles that have engulfed the legal body.
“We are committed to ADR in clearing the path to our AGM,” Asiimwe declared.
His remarks come ahead of a crucial mediation session scheduled for Friday before former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, which the Society hopes could help unlock a stalemate that has affected its governance and operations.
According to Asiimwe, the meeting will be the third mediation engagement in four weeks following earlier sessions held on May 13 and June 5. “This private mediation is vital for the future of our profession,” he told members.
The Uganda Law Society has been embroiled in a series of court battles since the current Radical New Bar leadership assumed office in October 2024. Asiimwe revealed that the Society and members of its governing council have faced more than 40 court cases in both the High Court and magistrates’ courts during that period.
The legal disputes, he said, have had far-reaching consequences, including the suspension of the Society’s AGM, delays in elections and disruptions to statutory representation on key national bodies.
“The AGM and other meetings were blocked, elections frozen, and our statutory representations to the Judicial Service Commission, Law Council Committee on Continuing Legal Education and Training, NEMA and other bodies effectively paralysed,” he said.
The Vice President maintained that despite the legal battles, the Society has consistently favoured dialogue and negotiated settlements over prolonged litigation.
According to Asiimwe, the Society’s leadership fully supports the ongoing mediation process and is pursuing an honourable out-of-court settlement with all parties involved.
The mediation initiative is being facilitated by former Chief Justice Katureebe and supported by senior members of the legal profession, including Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, Francis Gimara, Robert Rutaro, and Zubeda Namutebi.
He described the process as unique because it was initiated and driven by members of the legal fraternity rather than court orders. “This ongoing mediation before Chief Justice Emeritus Bart Katureebe is revolutionary. It is member-initiated and member-driven,” Asiimwe said.
The Society has also proposed a consolidated mediation framework covering disputes before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Hope for a New Chapter
The renewed push for mediation follows recent decisions by judicial leaders to give dialogue a chance.
Asiimwe disclosed that ULS-related cases before the High Court were recently adjourned to September 24, 2026, specifically to allow mediation efforts to continue.
He expressed hope that the talks would pave the way for the long-awaited AGM and help normalise relations between the Bench and the Bar.
“We are not here to prolong conflict. We are here to transform Bench-Bar relations and Bar-Government relations for the ultimate benefit of the people of Uganda, whom we all serve,” he said.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
