Archival Sense
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- Dec 16, 2025
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The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has directed its members to boycott a thanksgiving ceremony for Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, accusing the Judiciary’s leadership of neglecting justice delivery and failing to protect judicial independence.
The directive, issued through Executive Order No. 14 of 2026 by ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde, bars lawyers from attending, speaking at, sponsoring, advertising or otherwise supporting the event scheduled for November 21, 2026, at Karama Primary School playground in Nyarushanje Sub-county, Rukungiri District.
The ceremony is intended to celebrate Zeija’s appointment and his first anniversary as Chief Justice.
In the order, the Society denounced the event and questioned the process that led to Zeija’s appointment, describing it as accelerated, irregular and lacking transparency and meaningful public participation. It also alleged that the Judicial Service Commission was not properly constituted with ULS representation.
Ssemakadde, who is currently in self-exile, directed lawyers who receive invitations to formally decline them in writing. He also urged law firms and regional legal associations to issue internal directives to ensure compliance.
The Society argued that participation in the ceremony would undermine the legal profession’s duty to hold judicial officers accountable. It cited concerns including prolonged detention of political prisoners, arbitrary bail denials, unresolved habeas corpus applications involving alleged enforced disappearances and unaddressed torture allegations.
The ULS also questioned the decision to hold a high-profile celebration in Rukungiri, where prominent political detainees, including former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and former parliamentary aspirant Sam Mugumya, have faced detention.
Ssemakadde said the gathering was insensitive to families and communities affected by prolonged detention and unresolved questions about the liberty of citizens.
The Society further said the event would be the fourth thanksgiving ceremony organised since Zeija assumed office, describing the repeated celebrations as a distraction from the Judiciary’s constitutional responsibilities.
However, Zeija dismissed the boycott directive, questioning the authority of the current ULS leadership. In a phone interview with the Daily Monitor, he said the Society’s two-year term had expired in August.
Chief Justice Flavian Zeija
“Their tenure in office expired, meaning he has no power,” Zeija said.
The Chief Justice added that attending the ceremony was a matter of personal choice and said he expected lawyers who had received invitations to attend.
“I have invited many lawyers who are my friends, and they will attend. If others do not attend, that is also their choice,” he said.
Zeija compared the event to a family gathering, saying not everyone invited was expected to attend.
Daily Monitor
