Why ULS Expelled Attorney General Kiwanuka
- The expulsion comes amid serious allegations against Kiryowa Kiwanuka, including claims of conflict of interest, professional misconduct, and abuse of office.
Uganda Law Society Expels Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka in Radical Move. 15th October 2024.Babirye Sania. Kampala, Uganda –
In a dramatic and unprecedented move, the Uganda Law Society (ULS), under its new leadership, has expelled Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Solicitor General Francis Atoke, and their representatives from its governing council.
The announcement, signed by newly elected ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, signals a bold shift in the legal fraternity under what Ssemakadde calls the Radical New Bar.
In the executive order issued by the ULS, Kiryowa Kiwanuka is no longer recognized as the head of the Ugandan Bar, although he remains a member of the society.
“The Attorney General is no longer recognized as the Head of the Bar and has no authority or competence whatsoever to act on behalf of or to represent the Ugandan Bar,” the statement reads.
The move follows an internal review calling for greater autonomy of the legal profession and addressing what Ssemakadde describes as “colonial hangovers”.
The decision stems from the 2012 Pro. Ssempebwa ULS report, which recommended the removal of the Attorney General’s ex-officio position from the ULS Council.
Ssemakadde has promised to take the fight further, revealing plans for a constitutional petition, Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde vs. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to challenge the longstanding role of the AG in the ULS governance structure.
The expulsion comes amid serious allegations against Kiryowa Kiwanuka, including claims of conflict of interest, professional misconduct, and abuse of office.
According to the ULS, the Attorney General has failed to resign from his private legal practice and has allegedly used his law firm to conduct business with the government, raising questions about transparency and integrity.
One of the most damning accusations is Kiwanuka’s role in the controversial compensation of claimants for land in the Namanve-Luzira area. The ULS accuses the Attorney General of causing a financial loss of UGX 28.8 billion through illegal compensations for land classified as swamps and wetlands, despite a court ruling prohibiting such payments.
The alleged misuse of public funds in this matter has ignited widespread criticism from both the ULS membership and the general public.Further allegations include interference with the appointment processes at the Judicial Service Commission and the Law Development Centre, undermining their independence. The ULS also accuses the AG of providing misleading legal advice to the cabinet, which has resulted in decisions that erode judicial independence.
In his executive order, Ssemakadde emphasized the urgency of restoring integrity to Uganda’s legal system, accusing the Attorney General of impunity and undermining judicial accountability. “Ever since he assumed office, Kiryowa Kiwanuka has been condoning torture, subversion of bail, and the trial of civilians in military tribunals,” reads the statement.
The ULS also raised concerns over a recent decision attributed to Kiwanuka, which imposes fees for accessing Ugandan laws digitally, an act they claim is unconstitutional and hinders access to justice. The society insists that these actions directly conflict with the government’s obligations under international human rights law