Leadership of the Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society (ULCS) on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala, in a move aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Bench and the Bar.
Justice Abodo commended the Society for promoting unity, mentorship, and spiritual growth among legal professionals, noting in particular its regular Christian devotions and prayers shared through a WhatsApp platform that brings together lawyers from different institutions and areas of practice.
She emphasized the importance of faith in the legal profession, saying resilience often draws from strong spiritual grounding, and encouraged members to remain committed to professional excellence and personal integrity.
Justice Abodo also highlighted the Society’s composition, which includes judicial officers and practicing advocates, as an opportunity to deepen mentorship across the legal fraternity.
She urged members to actively guide young lawyers and law students while promoting discipline, ethical conduct, and a strong sense of duty.
On justice sector reforms, she called on the Society to work closely with the Judiciary to improve access to justice, pointing to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as plea bargaining and mediation as key tools for reducing case backlog and improving efficiency.
She also encouraged engagement with the Judicial Training Institute for continuous professional development.
Reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to openness and accountability, Justice Abodo encouraged continued engagement and constructive feedback from legal stakeholders.
ULCS President Nicholas Ecimu congratulated the Principal Judge on her leadership and assured her of the Society’s continued support.
He said the Society draws membership from across the legal and professional community, including the Judiciary, private practice, banking institutions, and other organisations.
Ecimu also highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the Society’s WhatsApp platform used for sharing devotions and professional support, adding that the visit helped strengthen institutional relations and update the Judiciary on ULCS programmes and future plans.
He further revealed plans for an outreach activity in Gulu, which will include a Mass, following a similar engagement previously held in Mbarara at Nyamitanga.
Finance Secretary Maxim Mutabingwa emphasized the importance of integrity within the legal profession, noting that ethical lapses remain a concern.
He commended the Family Division of the High Court for promoting mediation and called for the revival of Bar-Bench meetings to enhance dialogue between lawyers and judicial officers.
Tibaijuka K.A encouraged wider membership in the Society, citing professional and personal development benefits, and noted that ULCS is in the process of amending its constitution to strengthen its structure and operations.
In her closing remarks, Justice Abodo reaffirmed the importance of partnership in strengthening the justice system.
“A strong and ethical legal profession is essential to the delivery of justice, and that strength comes from collaboration, mentorship, and shared values,” she said.
The meeting concluded with a group photo, marking a renewed commitment to cooperation between the Judiciary and members of the legal profession.
