By Cedrick Mwesigwa.
On Monday 15 June one of the lead lawyers for the jailed opposition figure Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his ally Obeid Lutale, Erias Lukwago was picked from his Wakaliga home-Lubaga in Kampala by the military officers attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC), and went away with him to unknown location.
Upon apprehension, Lukwago had set to serve court summons to the CDF Gen. Kainerugaba Muhoozi also president Museveni’s son, arising from the Monday 8 June application filed by Besigye and Lutale through their lawyers against him with other military officers; Col Peter Ahimbisibwe and Lt. Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, accusing them of gross violation of their constitutional right, notably the alleged November 24,2024 abduction from Nairobi-Kenya and issuing death threats to hang Besigye.
The High Court judge Emmanuel Baguma had given the respondents 7 days to file their defence in relation to the matter whose hearing would take off on Tuesday June 30th.
It emerged shortly after that Lukwago whose where about had remained unknown, was in the military detention. The CDF via an X account linked to him, claimed knowledge of an operation through which he was picked, displaying some of his pictures while blind folded crying for his mercy.
This incident was the spark of human rights violation concerns among various stake holders including lawyers under the Uganda Law Society, to the extent of staging a nationwide industrial action on Friday June 26 which was international day in support of torture victims, accusing the judiciary over what they called its failure to protect advocates from intimidation, torture and harassment.
Speaking ahead of the planned lawyers’ strike, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) vice president Anthony Asiimwe reveled that the Society’s Kamwokya based building that houses its offices would be closed during the strike, and thus closed immediately.
Why Uganda Law Society House Closed?
Blazer News Times has exclusively learnt from reliable sources that with just shortest time to the planned strike, the Society’s Radical New Bar Governing Council led by its president Isaac Kimaze. Ssemakadde, received information from reliable sources that a siege by the security forces was about to be laid around their offices.
As a pre-emptive measure according to the sources, the Society’s leadership resolved to swiftly close the Radical New Bar Offices for un specified time, that’s why they remain in closure even when the strike ended.
The Society’s governing council is comprised of 10 members including among others; Ssemakadde(president), Anthony Asiimwe (vice president), Ssali Babu (secretary), Arthur Isiko-treasurer, Eddie Nangulu- council member eastern, Samuel Muhumuza- western, Alexander Lule- central region, Egaru Emmanuel omit- northern Uganda, attorney and solicitor general respectively.
From the look of things, the Radical New Bar team relations with the judiciary and state have been frost, arising from the disputed modus operandi among all regarding the implementation and enforcement of several legal aspects in this age of digital technology, thus a fundamental difference between all.
For example, the trio seem to be holding parallel views concerning reinstatement of the disputed Military Courts, among other things.
Law Society Leaders Finally Speak Out on their Office Closure
Through Monday June 29th Executive Order signed by the vice president Anthony Asiimwe and acting secretary Ssali Babu, the Society’s governing team resolved to maintain the offices closed until further notice, citing safety concerns against administrative staff.
‘All physical administrative operations at ULS House are hereby suspended until further notice. This measure shall remain in effect as a necessary risk mitigation and business continuity action”. Order reads in part.
According to the Radical New Bar signed order, all departments, including Finance & Administration, Human Resources, Members’ Affairs, Communications, IT, Procurement, and Professional Development, shall continue operating remotely to maintain full service delivery.
However, the Legal Aid Project (LAP) physical operations were not suspended by the council.
“Clients shall maintain direct contact with their assigned legal officers, and members of the public may continue to access legal support through LAP clinics. LAP shall progressively digitize case intake, case tracking, and client communication within the next twelve (12) months”.
It remains unclear on when exactly the closed office will normally resume services.
