2By Ben Musanje
In a powerful break from tradition, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has sent a strong message to President Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, officially endorsing opposition leaders Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) for president and Erias Lukwago for re-election as Lord Mayor of Kampala.
The historic decision, announced on December 21, 2025, marks a seismic shift in the legal community’s stance on Uganda’s political future, challenging the long-standing tradition of political neutrality upheld by the Society for decades.
Under the leadership of President Isaac Ssemakadde, SC, the ULS issued Executive Order RNB No. 6 of 2025, condemning the state of governance under the NRM regime, which the society argues has entrenched militarization, corruption, and a culture of impunity.
With nearly 40 years of Museveni’s leadership, the ULS claims that the judiciary, once a cornerstone of the country’s democratic system, has been compromised, turning into a rubber-stamp institution that no longer serves the people or the law.
This dramatic shift signals that the legal profession is now prepared to challenge the status quo and take a more active role in Uganda’s political landscape.
For years, the Uganda Law Society has adhered to a policy of political neutrality, striving to engage with all governments while maintaining independence and upholding the rule of law. But the Society’s new stance reflects a growing sense of urgency.
The ULS now believes that in a country where democratic freedoms are under siege, standing by silently amounts to complicity. The endorsement of Kyagulanyi for president and Lukwago for Lord Mayor is the ULS’s way of directly confronting what it sees as the deteriorating state of Uganda’s institutions and the erosion of fundamental democratic principles.
Kyagulanyi, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has become a symbol of resistance against the Museveni government. His outspoken calls for electoral reforms, human rights, and accountability have made him one of the most prominent critics of the regime.
By endorsing him, the ULS is effectively throwing its weight behind a candidate who has promised to restore democratic order and curb the growing authoritarianism that has characterised Museveni’s reign. This endorsement is a clear signal to the ruling government that Uganda’s legal community will not sit idly by while the country’s democratic and judicial institutions are undermined.
Similarly, Erias Lukwago’s endorsement for Lord Mayor of Kampala is seen as a statement against the government’s heavy-handed approach to urban governance. Lukwago, who is the only Lord Mayor that has served since the establishment of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) 14years ago, has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly those that marginalize citizens and stifle political dissent in the capital.
His re-election is viewed by the ULS as crucial to maintaining democratic leadership in Kampala, especially in the face of what many perceive as the NRM’s increasing grip on the city’s political institutions.
The ULS’s decision to endorse opposition candidates is framed by its strong condemnation of the NRM government’s actions over the years. In its Executive Order, the society highlights the militarization of Uganda’s state apparatus, which it claims has turned security forces into tools of political repression.
The ULS also condemns the routine intimidation of journalists, activists, and opposition members, citing numerous instances of unlawful detentions and extrajudicial killings. The society contends that the rule of law has been systematically eroded, and the judiciary has become subservient to the regime’s interests, rather than serving the people’s rights and constitutional freedoms.
The ULS argues that remaining neutral in this context is no longer an option, stating that silence in the face of these abuses would betray the core mission of the legal profession: to protect the Constitution and uphold justice.
With this new approach, the ULS is not just endorsing candidates; it is calling on Uganda’s legal professionals, law students, and civil society to become active participants in the electoral process. The Society has committed to mobilizing resources to educate the public about the importance of the 2026 elections and to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and free from manipulation.
In addition to endorsing candidates, the ULS has urged its members to be vigilant during the election process, particularly on polling day. The society has advised Ugandans to remain within close proximity of polling stations to ensure the integrity of the voting and counting process. This level of involvement represents a significant departure from the past, where the legal community traditionally stayed out of direct political engagement.
The ULS’s endorsement is also a clear message to President Museveni and his government: the legal profession is no longer willing to turn a blind eye to what it sees as a systemic assault on Uganda’s democratic institutions.
With the ULS now publicly supporting opposition candidates, it appears that Uganda’s legal community is taking a stand for the country’s future, determined to ensure that the upcoming elections are fair and that the rule of law is restored.
This move could significantly shift the political dynamics in Uganda as the 2026 General Elections approach. The endorsement of Kyagulanyi, Lukwago, and other candidates from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) marks a bold challenge to the Museveni government, potentially galvanizing the opposition and the Ugandan electorate at large.
In a country where the legal profession has historically held a position of relative neutrality, the Uganda Law Society’s decision to endorse opposition candidates signifies a critical moment in Uganda’s ongoing struggle for justice, democracy, and the rule of law.
As the 2026 General Elections loom, the ULS’s stance is a defining moment in Uganda’s political history — one that will undoubtedly shape the outcome of the election and the future of the nation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
