KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has formally rejected a long-standing pledge of Shs5 billion made by President Yoweri Museveni, citing concerns over institutional independence and unfulfilled commitments.
The pledge, initially announced in 2018, was intended to support the construction of the ULS headquarters in Kololo, Kampala. While it was welcomed at the time, the legal body now says the funds were never delivered, raising questions about reliance on executive promises.
In a recent directive, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said the Society would no longer recognise or pursue the pledge, arguing that such financial engagements risk undermining the autonomy of the legal profession.
“The ULS shall no longer pursue, acknowledge, or rely upon the unfulfilled 2018 pledge or any similar inducements that could imperil the Bar’s independence,” he said.
The decision marks a significant shift in how the legal fraternity engages with the executive, signalling a move toward financial self-reliance and institutional integrity.
Lawyers argued that dependence on government funding could weaken their constitutional mandate to hold power accountable. The Society emphasised that maintaining financial independence is critical to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring impartial legal oversight.
“This independence is essential for upholding the rule of law, advocating for justice, and holding power accountable,” Ssemakadde added.
The ULS also criticised what it described as a pattern of unmet government pledges, contrasting them with continued public spending elsewhere.
The statement highlighted concerns about fiscal priorities, pointing to what it called a widening gap between commitments to civil institutions and expenditure within the executive branch.
In stronger terms, the Society denounced what it characterised as a cycle of dependence on the presidency for financial support.
“The Uganda Law Society shall no longer engage in what has become a cycle of ‘begging’ from the Executive,” Ssemakadde said.
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The organisation indicated that future projects, including the construction of its headquarters, would instead rely on internal resource mobilisation and contributions from its members.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of governance and institutional independence in Uganda, particularly following recent election cycles and ongoing criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups.
Legal experts and rights organisations have increasingly warned about the erosion of judicial independence and the growing influence of the executive over key institutions.
By rejecting the pledge, the Uganda Law Society appears to be positioning itself as a more assertive and independent watchdog within the country’s governance framework.
