Justice Katureebe Leads Mediation Efforts to End Judiciary-ULS Standoff

Former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe is leading mediation efforts aimed at resolving the long-running dispute between the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the Judiciary. The latest development comes amid growing calls within the legal fraternity for reconciliation between the Bench and the Bar.

The existence of the mediation process was disclosed by Uganda Law Society Vice President Asiimwe Anthony during an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) conference in Mbarara on Friday, where he countered claims that the Radical New Bar leadership is opposed to mediation.

“As I speak, we are engaged in an important mediation of all Uganda Law Society matters before the eminent Chief Justice Emeritus Bart Katureebe,” Asiimwe said. The disclosure came just weeks after retiring Court of Appeal judge Justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende used his farewell remarks to urge the Judiciary to mend relations with the lawyers’ body.

Speaking during a luncheon held in his honour on May 14, Justice Egonda-Ntende expressed disappointment that the Uganda Law Society was not officially represented at the event attended by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, judges, and justice sector officials. “I was a little saddened that the Uganda Law Society was not officially represented at the sitting in the morning,” Egonda-Ntende said.

Referring to the ongoing tensions between the Judiciary and the Law Society, the veteran jurist urged judicial leaders to embrace criticism and differing views rather than resort to exclusion. “Let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend. I think for the Judiciary, this is something that should really guide us,” he said.

“The use of exclusion and sanction with those we disagree with is unfortunate. We should lead by the superiority of our ideas.” In remarks that appeared directed at the Judiciary’s handling of the dispute with the Uganda Law Society, Egonda-Ntende added: “They might use intemperate or unfortunate language. But we should hold the higher moral ground.”

His comments were among the clearest public calls by a senior member of the Judiciary for a de-escalation of the conflict that has strained relations between judges and lawyers for more than a year. The Chief Justice, Dr Flavian Zieja did not comment on the retiring judge’s call, nor did he mention a fact that there was a process towards resolving the dispute alternatively.

According to Asiimwe, the Katureebe-led mediation was initiated by members of the legal profession and is being coordinated by senior lawyers, including Prof. Ssempebwa, Senior Counsel Francis Gimara, Advocate Robert Rutaro, and Advocate Zubeda Namutebi.

He said the mediation process is intended to address all outstanding disputes involving the Uganda Law Society and various actors within the justice sector. The conflict traces its roots to a series of confrontations between the Judiciary and Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde following his election in September 2024.

Relations deteriorated in February 2025 when then Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo denied Ssemakadde an opportunity to address the opening of the New Law Year and demanded that he apologise to High Court judge Musa Ssekaana and Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo over remarks he had made about them.

The dispute later escalated into multiple court cases, including contempt proceedings against Ssemakadde, who subsequently left the country and has since described himself as being in self-exile.

Asiimwe said the Law Society has nevertheless remained committed to dialogue and alternative dispute resolution despite facing numerous legal challenges. He revealed that the organisation is actively participating in the Katureebe-led talks and hopes to secure a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding disputes. “We are working earnestly towards an honourable, out-of-court settlement with all parties,” he said.

The simultaneous emergence of a high-level mediation process and public appeals for reconciliation from a respected retiring appellate judge is likely to increase pressure on both the Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society to find common ground.

For many within the legal profession, the success of the Katureebe-led initiative could determine whether one of the most consequential Bench-Bar disputes in Uganda’s recent history ends through dialogue or returns to the courtroom-URN.

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