By During the new law year opening ceremony in Kampala, earlier today, Kiryowa Kiwanuka the attorney general referenced a recent, unauthorized ULS meeting attempting to discuss a letter sent by the president to the chief justice regarding ongoing disputes over Muslim properties.
The lawyers called for a boycott of the judiciary’s new law year launch, citing concerns about judicial freedom.
Yesterday Some members of the Uganda Law Society revealed they would boycott today’s launch of the New Law Year organized by the judiciary.
The planned boycott was meant to express their discontent with the judiciary after the High Court issued an order blocking the extraordinary meeting that was meant to discuss the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
Speaking during Friday’s 9th February launch, Kiryowa deemed such a meeting unnecessary, highlighting that judges cannot be summoned by lawyers under regular circumstances. He asked lawyers to understand their professional boundaries and advised that legal disputes should be addressed in courts, not on social media.
“If one is aggrieved by the decision of a judicial officer, your place is before the court whether you agree with it or not. What were you going to do? Summon a judiciary officer? That is wrong,” Mr Kiryowa said
Mr. Kiryowa also urged legal professionals to abstain from actions that might compromise the integrity of judges, emphasizing that the President’s letter to the Chief Justice was merely an official exchange of concerns between the branches of government. He cautioned lawyers regarding professional conduct, suggesting that habits developed during legal practice might carry over to the bench when lawyers become judges.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge, Justice Owiny Dolo expressed commitment to render justice under all circumstances.
“There is no amount of barbs, no amount insults, no amount of ridicules will make us fail to render justice the best way we think it should. We will also not favor anyone in our decisions.”- Justice Owiny Dolo remarked
