By Andrew Irumba
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) newly elected President Isaac Ssemakadde Kimaze has announced the expulsion of the most powerful Attorney General ever in Uganda, Kiryowa Kiwanuka and the Solicitor General. This comes few weeks after Ssemakadde, who describes himself as an anti-clockwise thinker, was elected into this office.
In his executive order No.1 of 2024, dated October,14, 2024, Ssemakadde said the representatives of the two officials have also been expelled with immediate effect.
According to Ssemakadde, the decision aims to restore public trust in the legal profession amidst growing concerns over integrity and accountability in Uganda’s justice system.
He, however, noted that despite the expulsion, Kiwanuka will remain a member of the ULS.
“The ULS through its newly elected Council, in exercise of its constitutional and statutory mandate and in unwavering commitment to the rule of law, issues this Executive Order as a bold and necessary step to restore public faith in the legal profession and to protect the independence of the Uganda Law Society,” he said.
“By this order, AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka Nsumikambi Mugambe is no longer recognised as Head of the Bar and has no authority or competence whatsoever to act for or on behalf of or to represent the Uganda Bar. He, however, remains a member of the Uganda Law Society.”
The society raised several concerns including on the conduct of the Ugandan AG including conflict of interest saying that the AG and Solicitor sitting in the ULS council as ex-officio members.
It termed the presence of the two ex-officials as “a colonial hangover, incompatible with the Radical New Bar’s autonomy”.
The ULS president cited forensic investigations into the AG’s professional misconduct, which it has opened.
Ssemakadde further said the AG had allegedly violated constitutional law tied to his private legal practice, and financial misconduct related to land compensation amounting to UG Sh28.8 billion.
He is also accused of allegedly misleading the Cabinet on matters of judicial independence, which resulted in legal repercussions and interfering in judicial appointments, which has eroded public confidence in the judiciary.
“AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka Nsumikambi Mugambe stands squarely accused of imposing an unpopular, unjust, and unconstitutional decision on the Uganda Law Reform Commission, requiring a fee for accessing Ugandan laws digitally, a practice previously unthinkable thus hindering access to justice and the rule of law.”
