Kampala- A conflict is brewing at the Uganda Law Society (ULS) over a statement issued by the society’s president criticising government’s handling of the pre and post-election period.
In a February 23 statement, the ULS president, Ms Ruth Sebatindira, said: “It is clear to any observer that there are deep-seated grievances amongst the populace. Moreover, we continue to see high numbers of heavily armed security forces on the streets and a presidential candidate who should be facilitated to exercise his right to petition the election results is in jail.
There is fear, fear of the unknown, fear of violence, fear of arrests, fear of teargas, fear of live bullets, etc. In an ideal situation, the people should not be afraid of their government. It is incumbent upon any government to seek to understand its people’s grievances and address them.”
The statement has, however, caused a backlash for her from some ULS members, including those on the society’s executive who accuse Ms Sebatindira of individually issuing a statement without consulting them.
Those cited include Mr Enoch Barata (ULS treasurer) and Mr Ahmed Kalule (ULS secretary). The duo is backed by NRM lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
On his Twitter page, Mr Barata stated that Ms Sebatindira is “free to speak on her own” but not bind ULS “without due process”.
In a February 25 internal memo to the society’s members, Ms Sebatindira notes that several attempts have been made to discredit her since issuing the statement, including a petition to have her withdraw the statement.
“Learned colleagues, as your spokesperson, l owe the ULS a duty to be professional, truthful and to use good judgment in my duties. I issued the statement as your president and spokesperson. As the ULS, we also owe the public a duty to advise and guide on rule of law matters. We must speak out when things do not go well in our country and we must provide solutions to some of the challenges that we face as a nation. We are the voice of the voiceless,” she writes.
She has vowed to resign over the matter. “I stand by the statement that I issued and I am ready to defend it at any EGM called to challenge me, should it be deemed necessary, I shall step down as your president,” she stated.
“We need a structured national reconciliation process. There is pain, anger, suffering and bitterness in our communities which we simply cannot ignore,” Ms Sebatindira added.
sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com
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