KAMPALA-The Uganda Law Society President, Isaac Ssemakadde has responded to Attorney General’s remarks about the Executive Order 1 ( RNB No 1 of 2024) which expelled him together with the Solicitor General from ULS Law council.
“I write to you in my capacity as President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and Head of the Bar regarding your recent response to our Executive Order RNB No 1 of 2024. Your response, far from offering any meaningful defense or clarification, further exposes your disregard for the rule of law and your attempts to undermine the very institutions meant to uphold it.” Reads part of Ssemakadde’s letter dated 13th November 2024, addressed to Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka
Ssemakadde also noted that Attorney General General’s reliance on legal technicalities and narrow interpretation of the law is plainly a calculated attempt to evade responsibility.
“Your response contains troubling inconsistencies that cannot go unchallenged. While claiming to have ceased private practice since assuming office, you remain conspicuously silent about acting through a syndicate of select advocates in private practice.” Your simultaneous profession of innocence while admitting to your law firm’s involvement in various government projects only confirms public concerns about conflict of interest.”
The Attorney Is also accused of continued endorsement of torture, bail subversion, and civilian trials in Military courts which positions that Ssemakadde alleges to violate Uganda’s international human rights obligations.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is explicit in its Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa (2003), stating that military courts shall determine only offenses of a purely military nature committed by military personnel, adhere to fair trial standards as outlined in the African Charter, and have no jurisdiction over civilians under any circumstances. Your disregard for these principles represents a serious dereliction of duty.”
Therefore, Ssemakadde added that , Kiryowa’s response , serves as further evidence of his unfitness for office, not only disregard for the law but a pattern of arrogance, deception, and complete lack of remorse.
Last week Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka responded to the ULS Executive order which suspended him with Solicitor General Francis Atooki from Law council saying that the decision was illegal and not binding.
“The president of the Uganda Law Society and the council (or any part of it) have no authority to repeal a provision of the law by purporting to expel the Attorney General and the Solicitor General or their representatives from council.” Remarked Kiwanuka
He also advised Ssemakadde, that carrying a title of ‘President’ of 3500 members doesn’t clothe him with authority to legislate for the country and Uganda Law Society.
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