City lawyer Robert Rutaro has withdrawn his case against the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and its president, Isaac Ssemakadde.
Mr Rutaro had accused the ULS leadership of unlawfully excluding the Attorney General and Solicitor General from representation in the Society.
The High Court of Uganda granted the withdrawal of the case challenging Executive Order RNB No. 1 of 2024, issued by Ssemakadde.
The matter was heard by Hon. Lady Justice Esther Nambayo at the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala.
The Executive Order, issued in October 2024, controversially suspended the Attorney General and Solicitor General from ULS membership, citing concerns about their roles in upholding legal integrity.
The decision sparked mixed reactions, leading Rutaro to seek legal recourse. However, during the hearing, he opted to withdraw the case, and the court made no orders regarding costs.
The ULS defence team, led by Mr Milton Ocen of Advocate and Mr Francis Kiwa, welcomed the outcome.
After the session, the defense team emphasized that the withdrawal validated ULS's reform efforts.
"There’s always room for peace and reconciliation if we put our differences aside and compromise! Always a pleasure to support efforts that bring unity. Thank you, @RobertRutaro, for keeping your word. This is a win for all of us @ug_lawsociety. May peace prevail upon us, always," posted Defense Lawyer Milton Ocen on his X handle (formerly Twitter).
In a statement on ULS's official X handle, the Society expressed gratitude to Rutaro for withdrawing the case and reiterated its dedication to building an independent and trusted legal profession.
“We thank the petitioner for recognizing the value of our efforts to establish an independent Bar that earns public trust. This is a victory not just for ULS but for the principles of transparency and reform,” the statement read in part.
Rutaro had filed the petition on October 15, 2024, challenging the legality of Executive Order RNB No. 1 of 2024. The order suspended the Attorney General and Solicitor General from ULS membership, a move critics argued was unconstitutional and beyond the President’s mandate.
Legal analysts debated whether Ssemakadde had the authority to issue such an order, with Rutaro seeking to have it annulled.
Under Ssemakadde’s leadership, ULS has pursued a bold reform agenda dubbed the *#RadicalNewBar* initiative. The campaign aims to rebuild public trust in the legal profession by promoting accountability, independence, and ethical standards within the Bar.
The withdrawal of Rutaro’s case is seen as a significant moment in the ongoing transformation of the Uganda Law Society. Legal experts suggest the decision may embolden ULS leadership to continue its reform agenda.
However, they also caution that similar legal challenges may emerge as the Society pushes into uncharted territory in its efforts to enhance independence and public trust.
As the ULS advances its 'Radical New Bar' initiative, the legal fraternity and broader public will closely monitor its impact on the Ugandan legal landscape.