Power struggles rock Uganda Law Society as leaders clash
Accusations of plotting a "coup" to oust ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde and Vice President Anthony Asiimwe have thrown the organization into a storm of allegations and counterclaims.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS), a prestigious body tasked with upholding legal ethics and governance, has found itself mired in internal turmoil following the suspension of its Secretary General, Phillip Munaabi, and council member, Geoffrey Turyamusiima.
Accusations of plotting a “coup” to oust ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde and Vice President Anthony Asiimwe have thrown the organization into a storm of allegations and counterclaims.
The dramatic events unfolded after a council meeting on Sunday, during which Ssemakadde denounced what he described as subversive and unlawful actions by the two suspended members. Allegedly, Munaabi and Turyamusiima orchestrated an unauthorized attempt to seize control of the ULS leadership, leveraging forged documents to undermine the authority of the President and Vice President.
The Alleged Coup Plot
Central to the controversy are two documents allegedly authored by Munaabi. The first, dated November 23, 2024, was titled “Council Order No. 1 of 2024: Expulsion of the President and Vice President from the Uganda Law Society Council.
” This document, which purported to remove the top ULS leadership, was swiftly declared illegitimate by the majority of the council.
Ssemakadde condemned the document, calling it a rogue act by “the minority” within the council. “This document is not an official record of the ULS Council. It is the unauthorized work of Phillip Munaabi and Geoffrey Turyamusiima,” he stated, emphasizing that neither he nor Asiimwe had been consulted about the document.
Council Divided
The unfolding crisis has exposed deep divisions within the ULS council. While the majority of council members, including regional representatives and Treasurer Arthur Isiko, rallied behind Ssemakadde, the actions of Munaabi and Turyamusiima have raised questions about the unity and integrity of the society’s leadership.
In a statement, Ssemakadde clarified, “For absolute clarity and avoidance of doubt, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Council Members representing the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions categorically repudiate the above-mentioned documents. We were neither consulted nor involved in their creation or dissemination.”
Munaabi’s suspension was accompanied by the appointment of Eddie Nangulu as interim Secretary General, a move Ssemakadde described as necessary to restore order and credibility to the council.
What’s at Stake?
The ULS crisis underscores the stakes involved in managing an organization that plays a crucial role in Uganda’s legal and democratic framework. Legal analysts warn that such internal instability risks eroding public trust in the institution.
Dr. Sarah Kanyesigye, a governance expert, noted, “The allegations of forgery and leadership battles within the ULS point to a deeper issue of accountability. If an organization meant to uphold legal ethics cannot manage its internal affairs transparently, it undermines its ability to lead by example.”
For now, the ULS finds itself not only battling internal dissent but also grappling with the public scrutiny that comes with being a body dedicated to legal ethics one that must now prove it can practice what it preaches.
