The High Court in Kampala has issued an order stopping Uganda Law Society’s forthcoming elections for the representative to the Judicial Service Commission set for December 17.
The court at the same time stopped the forthcoming Extra Ordinary General Meeting for the lawyers’ body.
In a temporary injunction on Friday night, Justice Musa Ssekaana of the civil division of the High Court stopped the Uganda Law Society from implementing any decisions regarding elections and the extra ordinary general meeting.
“A temporary injunction is issued restraining the respondents, its agents, servants or representatives from holding elections for its representatives to the Judicial Service Commission at the Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for the 17th day of December 2024 or any meeting scheduled thereafter, pending the determination of the main cause,” Justice Ssekaana.
He said his injunction remains in place until the main case is disposed of.
Background
Lawyer Hashim Mugisha Mugisha dragged the Uganda Law Society to court challenging the forthcoming extra ordinary meeting and the manner in which the posts that were to be filled during the meeting fell vacant.
This came after the Uganda Law Society Council’s suspension of its Secretary, Phillip Munaabi, and Central Region Council Representative, Geoffrey Turyamusiima, on November 24, 2024.
The Uganda Law Society council had set December, 17 as the date for the extra ordinary general meeting.
On the same day the law society had planned to hold its elections for representatives to the Judicial Service Commission.
Former ULS president, Pheona Nabasa Wall run to the court to challenge her disqualification from the process , citing biasness and unfairness of the elections committee.
In his Friday night ruling, Justice Musa Ssekaana said court cant allow the extra ordinary meeting to continue since it would be validating illegalities committed by the Uganda Law Society Council.
“Such actions cannot be allowed to stand in a society governed by the rule of law. Judicial proceedings cannot be used to perpetuate a wrong committed by the majority simply because they have numbers against the minority. The Uganda Law Society must uphold its statutory obligations and ensure that its actions comply with the law,” Ssekaana said.
He also reinstated Phillip Munaabi as Secretary and Council member and Geoffrey Turyamusiima as the Central Region Council representative.
