By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has suspended all physical administrative operations at its headquarters, ULS House, citing deteriorating security conditions and the need to protect staff, members, and the continuity of its operations.
In an Executive Order issued on Monday by the ULS Governing Council, the Society said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in response to what it described as “prevailing security and political conditions” that pose credible risks to its personnel and stakeholders.
The directive follows earlier statements issued by the Society titled No One is Safe (June 28, 2026) and Practicing Law amid Military Rule (February 5, 2026), in which the Council expressed concern over Uganda’s security and governance environment.
Under the new measures, all administrative departments—including Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Members’ Affairs, Communications, Information Technology, Procurement, and Professional Development—will continue operating remotely to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Despite the closure of the Society’s administrative offices, the Legal Aid Project (LAP) will remain operational at the ULS Secretariat and across its offices nationwide. The Society said clients should continue engaging directly with their assigned legal officers, while members of the public will still be able to access legal assistance through LAP clinics. It also announced plans to digitize case intake, case tracking, and client communication over the next 12 months.
The Council further confirmed that #TechFest2026, the Radical New Bar Digital Transformation Festival, will proceed as planned. The event forms part of the Society’s broader initiative to support law firms across Uganda in transitioning to fully paperless operations as a strategy for strengthening the legal profession’s resilience.
The Executive Order took immediate effect upon its electronic issuance on June 29, 2026, and was signed by Acting Secretary Ssali Babu and Vice President Asiimwe Anthony on behalf of the ULS Council led by President Isaac K. Ssemakadde SC.
The Society said it will continue monitoring the security situation and will communicate any decision regarding the resumption of physical operations through its official channels. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
