Court orders Makerere University to drop Law Society rep

Justice Boniface Wamala agreed with Counsel Stephen Kalali's legal challenge against the ULS executive's practice of unilaterally selecting representatives for governmental bodies.

The court determined that such appointments violate the Uganda Law Society Act and Elections Regulations, which require these positions to be elected.

Justice Wamala stated, "I have found a breach of the provisions of the ULS Act and the Elections Regulations… I accordingly issue an order of a permanent injunction restraining the Respondent’s Council from any further breach of the Act and the Elections Regulations regarding the election of the Society representatives," in his February 2 ruling.

Reacting to the court's judgment, Counsel Kalali reached out to the Makerere University Council's Chairwoman, Lorna Magara, urging the university to reject the candidate previously suggested by the ULS Council.

In his communication, Kalali expressed, “I have learnt with surprise that the ULS Council has already clandestinely and illegally submitted a member's name to your university council for consideration,” further advising that such a move is illegal and disrespects the court's decision. He requested the university to nullify the illegal nomination and insisted on the selection of a legitimately elected representative from the ULS membership.

Additionally, Kalali released a statement urging other entities with appointed ULS representatives to dismiss them promptly in compliance with the ruling.

Kalali's statement brings to light ongoing issues within the ULS, such as the opaque nomination process and a lack of feedback mechanisms for the actions of representatives. He highlighted the unawareness among ULS members regarding their representation and the selection criteria.

The court's verdict is celebrated by Kalali as a triumph for democracy within the ULS, guaranteeing that representatives are directly chosen by and responsible to the society's members.

He emphasized, “I strongly call upon all the representatives of ULS to various statutory agencies to vacate the said representation to enable the proper and lawful procedure to be followed. The court’s decision clearly implies that their nominations were null and void,” asserting the necessity for these representatives to resign honorably to make way for a legal election process they are welcome to participate in.