By Ben Musanje
Uganda Law Society (ULS) Vice President Anthony Asiimwe has raised concerns over the state of the legal profession in Uganda, highlighting the challenges surrounding the Society’s leadership and the continued absence of its President, Isaac Ssemakadde, SC, whom he says remains in exile.
Speaking on October 28, 2026, during the West Nile Bar Land and Commercial Justice Training in Arua City, Asiimwe said he was representing Ssemakadde, who, according to him, has been unable to attend the Society’s official engagements for the second consecutive year.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Radical New Bar Governing Council, Asiimwe described the situation surrounding the President as a difficult chapter for the Society, insisting that its institutional struggle continues despite the leadership challenges.
“Your Radical New Bar President, Isaac Ssemakadde, SC, is convicted. He is exiled. He is persecuted. And for the second consecutive year, I stand here in his stead, because they will not let him stand here himself,” Asiimwe said.
He acknowledged that the situation had been difficult and costly but maintained that the Society’s pursuit of its institutional objectives remained ongoing, both within Uganda and beyond its borders.
“Yes, it is messy. Yes, it is bruising. Yes, it is costly. But it is ours to win – at home and in exile. In Kampala and the regions,” he added.
ULS pays tribute to fallen legal and financial icon
Before addressing the state of the Bar, Asiimwe conveyed the Society’s condolences following the death of distinguished Ugandan lawyer, banker and public figure Geoffrey Alan Onegi-Obel, who died on October 18, 2026, at MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, aged 70.
He said Ssemakadde had requested that the proceedings begin with a tribute to Onegi-Obel, whom he described as an outstanding Ugandan whose contribution extended beyond the legal profession into finance, politics and culture.
Onegi-Obel was particularly remembered for his contribution to Uganda’s financial architecture, having served as the founding chairman of the Uganda Securities Exchange, a key institution in the country’s capital markets, and as chairman of the National Social Security Fund.
Asiimwe noted that shortly after the Radical New Bar leadership was elected, Onegi-Obel visited Ssemakadde and shared with him his vision for carbon credits and the green economy.
Hdescribed the late investment banker as a resilient and forward-looking individual who continued to dream, build and contribute to society.
Participants were invited to observe two minutes of silence in his honour.
Lawyers urged to strengthen expertise in land and commercial justice
The Arua engagement also focused on strengthening the capacity of legal practitioners in land and commercial justice through continuing legal education.
Asiimwe emphasised that land and commercial justice remain important areas of legal practice, requiring advocates to keep abreast of emerging developments in legislation, judicial decisions and professional practice.
He encouraged participants to actively engage in the training, exchange experiences, ask difficult questions and use the opportunity to improve their understanding of the legal issues affecting their work.
The Vice President acknowledged the support of the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS), the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda for partnering with the Society to facilitate continuing legal education programmes across the different regions.
He said the partnerships were important in extending professional development opportunities beyond Kampala and ensuring that lawyers across the country remain equipped to respond to emerging legal challenges.
Leadership challenges amid regional engagement
The training in Arua forms part of the Uganda Law Society’s wider efforts to maintain professional engagement with lawyers across the country while addressing issues affecting the independence, leadership and institutional direction of the Bar.
By combining continuing legal education with discussions about the Society’s leadership challenges, the engagement provided an opportunity for members to reflect on both their professional responsibilities and the broader environment in which they practise law.
Asiimwe maintained that despite the difficulties facing the Society’s leadership, its activities and engagement with members in different parts of the country would continue.
The remarks placed the state of the Bar alongside the Society’s continuing commitment to professional development, access to justice and strengthening the legal profession across Uganda. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
