The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has officially launched year-long celebrations to mark its 70th anniversary, using the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to defending the rule of law while drawing attention to what legal leaders described as growing threats to justice and legal practice in the region.
The celebrations, launched on Monday, will run throughout 2026 and culminate in a grand anniversary event in December. The event brought together legal professionals and leaders from across East Africa, who praised the ULS for its seven-decade legacy while expressing concern over recent developments affecting lawyers and political actors in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch, Charles Kajama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, commended the Uganda Law Society for its longstanding role in promoting justice and accountability.
“I am grateful to join the Uganda Law Society as it commemorates 70 years of dedicated service to the rule of law and the administration of justice,” Kajama said. “The East African legal fraternity values the solidarity and unity demonstrated by the ULS, and we will continue standing together whenever the rule of law is threatened.”
Kajama said lawyers across the region have a duty to uphold justice without fear, favour, or intimidation, noting that legal practitioners must be able to communicate freely with their clients.
He strongly criticised the recent arrest of senior lawyer and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, arguing that the circumstances surrounding his detention raised concerns about the protection of legal representation.
“The East Africa Law Society is deeply concerned that Advocate Erias Lukwago was arrested while carrying out his professional duties as counsel to Dr Kizza Besigye,” Kajama said.
He also condemned the deportation of Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua, who had travelled to Uganda to participate in legal proceedings involving Besigye.
“We are equally concerned by the denial of entry and deportation of Martha Karua, despite her having a special licence to practise in Uganda and serving as lead counsel for Dr Kizza Besigye. No clear explanation was provided for the decision,” he added.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe announced that the anniversary celebrations would go beyond commemorative events and would focus on advancing the society’s historic mission of challenging lawlessness and promoting justice.
“As we celebrate 70 years of resisting lawlessness, we will roll out a series of activities that reflect our commitment to the rule of law,” Asiimwe said.
Among the planned activities is a nationwide “tools down” action scheduled for June 26, 2026, during which lawyers across Uganda will suspend work in protest against what the society describes as a deteriorating rule-of-law environment.
Soroti District Woman MP Ann Ebaju praised the Uganda Law Society for promoting women’s participation in the legal profession and voiced support for victims of alleged political persecution.
“I appreciate the society for recognising women as strong and capable legal professionals,” Ebaju said, adding that she stands in solidarity with political abductees and victims of injustice, including Advocate Erias Lukwago.
The ULS anniversary programme will feature professional forums, public awareness campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and community engagement activities aimed at highlighting the society’s contribution to Uganda’s legal development over the past seven decades.
Legal analysts say the anniversary celebrations come at a pivotal moment for Uganda’s justice sector, amid continuing debates over judicial independence, access to legal representation, and the protection of lawyers carrying out their professional duties.
With a nationwide lawyers’ protest already announced and regional legal bodies rallying behind the ULS, the road to the society’s 70th anniversary is expected to be marked not only by celebration, but also by renewed calls for accountability, justice, and respect for the rule of law.
