Prominent National Resistance Movement (NRM) party lawyer Ahmed Kalule will any time from now be wearing boots to fight for the Uganda Law Society president’s seat which is currently occupied by the key board warrior senior counsel Isaac Ssemakadde, Blazer News Times has learnt.
Sources close to counsel Kalule exclusively told Blazer News Times that his move will be actualized through anticipated bar association elections.
Lawyers familiar with the internal developments (names withheld), confirmed to this news Website, that the elections will be held as soon the ongoing mediation between the pro and anti Ssemakadde governance forces by the Court of Appeal justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire have been taken out of the way.
They stemmed from the multiple filed Court pro and anti-radical new bar governance petitions, targeted at its sitting president Ssemakadde, which created a legal conundrum, putting an embargo on timely elections, thus paving way to unlimited stay in office.
Insiders claim that Kalule’s game plan is a mooted strategy by the ruling party to edge out the governing radical new bar team whose presence is believed to be a thorn in its flesh.
Knowledgeable sources say that Kalule’s coming for the Law Society top seat is aimed at neutralizing the bar association’s extreme and radical approach.https://blazernewstimes.com/untold-story-inside-leaked-lawyers-hatched-plan-to-issue-judge-baguma-with-certificate-of-incompetence/
The Society’s president Ssemakadde had adopted un precedented radical approach from onset, aimed at exposing gaps in the judiciary and public governance structure, culminating into reconfiguration of some flawed internal mechanisms, but also his forced exile from where is governing.
Insiders say that all indications are that, he will not survive the orchestra’s well laid trap to retain his seat come elections even if he sought reelection.
Kalule a partner with Crane Associated Advocates, is also among president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni lawyers. He was on the team of the lawyers that represented Gen. Museveni in 2016 presidential electoral petition filed by his former prime minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi against him, and in aftermath of the 2021 polls filed by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Bobi Wine, before could shortly after be withdrawn for what the petitioner attributed to the lack of impartiality by the presiding Chief Justice Chigamoy Alfonse Owiny Dollo then.
He also represented the NRM Kawempe North parliamentary flag bearer Hajjat Faridah Nambi in an electoral petition filed challenging incumbent Erias Nalukoola’s victory in April 2025., citing irregularities.
More Hurdles Against Ssemakadde’s Chances for Reelection.
Insiders say that the NRM government’s calculation of keeping Ssemakadde in exile will pay them off considering that the Law Society’s internal electoral rules only favor a nominee who can physically be available during the process, which is not the case with him.
“Aspirants cannot virtually be nominated, they are required to physically be present” one source said.
Another source said that Ssemakadde’s extremist conduct is salt into an already existing injury.
Sources allege that Ssemakadde’s radical approach has been a welcome note by many legal practitioners until when he blended it into extremism. “His conduct is now regarded to be offensive and personal compared from the beginning”.
Insiders said that for him to overwhelmingly win Isaac Atukunda who was viewed as pro NRM with 20,101 against his 898 votes during the September 2024 hotly contested election, was voted by the three categories of lawyers; radicals, moderates and government leaning.
The moderate group which has the majority with a commanding influence, is an inclusion of an elderly senior in age and in practice lawyers whom the sources claim has been lost by the head of the radical new bar due to his offensive that has left several of them causalities.
More Potential Successors of Ssemakadde Emerge.
According to sources, Ssemakadde’s vice president Anthony Asiimwe is among those that are being fronted by a section of lawyers to face off with Kalule. Sources say that apart from having been a performer in Ssemakadde’s cabinet, Asiimwe is balanced and appealing to both radicals and moderates, which gives him an edge over Kalule.
Paul Mukiibi is an aspirant whom sources say can be voted the Law Society president given his growing influence within the legal fraternity. Sources say that Mukiibi has taught several old and young lawyers who regard him as a mentor, and for that matter they can vote for him.
Legal activist Stephen Kalaali is another potential presidential aspirant. According to insiders, Kalaali also commands influence within the fraternity spanning from his several public litigation Court petitions filed in the interest of pursuing justice for the people.
Whether Kalule’s bid to replace Ssemakadde will be successful, only time can tell.Email:editorial@blazernewstimes.com
