Uganda Today: ULS Protest Sparks Judiciary Showdown Over Deregistration of Critical Appeals
By Uganda Today News Desk | Published July 6, 2025 | www.ugandatoday.co.ug
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has launched a fierce protest against the Court of Appeal, following the sudden removal of four high-profile appeals from the court’s cause list scheduled for hearing on 10 July 2025 at 9:00 AM. In a formal letter dated 4 July 2025, addressed to the Deputy Chief Justice and Head of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija, ULS condemned the deregistration as “bias and manipulation of the court,” accusing the registry of subverting justice.
The protest, signed by ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, urges the judiciary to immediately reinstate the appeals, which the Society insists were lawfully scheduled and notified to all parties concerned.
The Contested Appeals
The four appeals, which touch on the internal governance of the legal profession and broader questions of constitutional and judicial accountability, include:
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Civil Appeal No. 61 of 2025: ULS v Brian Kirima – concerning the frustration of Section 16 general meetings convened by members’ requisition.
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Civil Appeal No. 98 of 2025: ULS & Another v Mugisha Hashim & 2 Others – addressing interference with Section 15 general meetings convened by Council order.
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Civil Appeal No. 99 of 2025: ULS & Another v Pheona Nabasa Gladys Wall – challenging the obstruction of ULS nominees’ elections to the 7th Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
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Civil Appeal No. 102 of 2025: Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde v Mugisha Hashim Mugisha – dealing with alleged judicial harassment of the current ULS President.
According to a letter signed by Court of Appeal Registrar HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi on 3 July 2025, the cases were “erroneously cause-listed” and have instead been redirected to conferencing and will be “heard in the next convenient session.”
ULS has described this move as “procedurally flawed, legally indefensible, and lacking transparency.”
Procedural Crisis: Registry Overreach?
The ULS argues that under Rule 20 of the Judicature (Court of Appeal) Rules, the listing of a matter for hearing constitutes a judicial act and cannot be arbitrarily reversed by the registry. “The act of listing matters for hearing—complete with Coram notifications—is not an informal administrative step,” read the protest letter. “It is an exercise of judicial discretion delegated under law.”
Further, ULS contends that the registrar’s invocation of “mandatory conferencing” as a precondition for hearings is misguided. The Society cites Civil Appeal No. 156 of 2013: Security Group (U) Ltd v Marie Stopes Uganda, where the Court of Appeal ruled that conferencing is not a compulsory prerequisite for an appeal to be heard.
Underlying Stakes and Public Interest
ULS emphasized that the four appeals are not routine disputes, but critical to upholding the legal profession’s independence and constitutional duty. Among the core issues affected are:
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The ULS’s mandate to nominate members to the Judicial Service Commission.
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The ULS President’s liberty, currently under legal threat.
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The integrity of democratic processes within the legal fraternity.
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The health of Bar-Bench relations, already strained by perceived judicial overreach.
“The timing and manner of this deregistration creates the appearance of targeted frustration of our constitutional mandate,” said Vice President Asiimwe. “These matters directly affect the rule of law and public confidence in our courts.”
ULS Calls Members to Action
In a powerful concluding appeal, ULS has called upon its membership to assemble in large numbers at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, 10 July 2025, at 9:00 AM, to demand justice and accountability.
“We have waited long enough for justice and harmonious Bar-Bench relations,” said Asiimwe. “Now is the time to act.”
What Lies Ahead
This unfolding clash between the Uganda Law Society and the Court of Appeal registry sets the stage for a consequential test of judicial independence, transparency, and procedural integrity in Uganda’s legal system. As ULS mobilizes its members for a show of solidarity, all eyes will be on how the Deputy Chief Justice responds to the call to reinstate the appeals and affirm the court’s commitment to fair and open justice.
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