ULS Leadership Crisis Deepens as Mediation Talks Collapse Without a Deal

The long-running leadership and governance crisis at the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has suffered another major blow after mediation efforts failed to produce a compromise, with key lawyers walking away from the negotiations and the mediators suspending the process indefinitely.The mediation committee, headed by former Principal Judge James Ogoola, said the parties remained sharply divided over the administration of the Society, the composition of its Council, accountability and the path towards fresh elections. An August 21, 2026 update indicated that five meetings had been held before the process became increasingly difficult to sustain.The initiative was launched in May by a group of senior legal figures who sought to end the series of court battles that had paralysed important ULS activities. Among those involved were former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, retired Justice Remmy Kasule, Senior Counsel Fredrick Ssempebwa, Senior Counsel Francis Gimara, Martha Gidudu and Zubedah Namugenyi.The talks were later interrupted after the ULS Council requested an adjournment, citing urgent concerns over the safety of lawyers and threats to the legal profession. The request came amid heightened tensions surrounding the arrest of Senior Counsel Erias Lukwago and the refusal of Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua entry into Uganda after she travelled to support Lukwago’s legal team in the case involving Dr Kizza Besigye.The mediation suffered a further setback when Advocate Hashim Mugisha withdrew, complaining about delays and alleging that the Council was not approaching the process in good faith. Efforts to convince him to return reportedly failed, leaving the mediators facing an increasingly fragmented negotiation.Advocate Tony Tumukunde subsequently announced his withdrawal after demanding sweeping measures, including the transfer of ULS affairs and records to the Chief Executive, a clear and time-bound electoral roadmap and a comprehensive independent forensic and financial audit covering the Society’s affairs between October 2024 and June 2026.Even the remaining negotiations with Advocate Abbas Godfrey Gimei failed to deliver a breakthrough. Gimei proposed that the current Council step aside and be replaced by an interim 90-day Council of eminent Senior Counsel, while also seeking restrictions on the participation of current council members in the electoral process and other measures concerning pending cases involving ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde.With the competing demands proving impossible to reconcile, the mediators declared a stalemate and adjourned the process sine die, meaning no date has been fixed for its return. The committee will now consult the Chief Justice, Principal Judge, Attorney General and members of the legal profession before deciding whether to revive the mediation or bring it to an end, leaving the ULS leadership crisis without a clear resolution.