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Introduction from the Societies President
On your behalf, I wish to communicate our appreciation to His Excellency Yoweri K Museveni, the President (with a big “P”) of the Republic of Uganda who opened the AGM and, to EALS, MTN Uganda, Uganda Investment Authority and Insurance Company of East Africa, - all of whose generous support and contributions made both the Conference and AGM successful events. May the relationships we have established with these organizations and the partnerships we have since forged with them continue to grow for the mutual benefit of our respective constituents.
I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the entire membership of the legal fraternity in this country for entrusting me, - along with all the members of the Executive Council, with the leadership of the Uganda Law Society. I do again; - as I did on that humbling occasion, pledge to serve with fervor and commitment for the cause, well-being and betterment of the Society and in defending the Rule of Law, respect for Human Rights and for the independence of the Judiciary in serving the ends of Justice for all. I am hopeful that during this time, the Law Society will be remembered for providing objective and principled leadership in advocating for and promoting the virtues of constitutionalism, democracy and for good governance to prevail over all other interests in the efforts undertaken for the development of this our country Uganda.
May I also take the opportunity to salute Mr. Oscar Kihiika the Immediate Past President and his entire team (on which I also earlier served as Treasurer and later Vice President), for having steered the Society well for the last two years. As I congratulate and welcome all the new members on board Council, I also implore my colleagues to reflect on the enormity of the task we have just assumed, - with a view to dedicating our efforts to fervently serve by fulfilling the responsibilities involved, if we are to build a vibrant and effective Society.
In the course of the last two months, I have represented the Society at the International Bar Association (IBA) Bar Leaders Conference in Paris at which we were taken through the highlights and implications of the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) as it relates to the Legal Sector and the role the National Bars are expected to play in enhancing international practice standards in the global legal services market.
Through the auspices and at the cost of the EALS, I was also invited and attended the Burundi Bar’s Annual event at which I shared my thoughts on the way forward for today’s progressive lawyers, law firms and the Bar, in a paper titled "What lawyers should do and the Role of the Bar in the EAC integration process"- (check www. ealawsociety.org for the paper ), which drew from the information obtained during the Paris Bar leaders meeting as well as from the longstanding debate on cross-border practice as anticipated to unfold with the coming into force of the East African Common Market regime.
Since the AGM, we have also taken to implementing some of the decisions and/or resolutions reached during the AGM. Key among these has been the matter of Anup Singh Choudry as a judge of the High Court which appeared in the Notice and was discussed as an Agenda item. Much as it has since generated a lot of interest in the press, we have followed-up on and handled the same in the manner as was resolved at the AGM. Whereas a complete file on the matter containing all the relevant information as to the genesis and basis upon which this matter arose, has been complied and laid on the main table of the Library in the Secretariat’s Legal Resource Centre and, - which you are all encouraged to peruse for your own individual understanding of the matter, a more detailed brief on the matter has also been prepared outlining the steps so far taken, progress reached and the recommended way forward. This is being sent out to each one’s respective email address as they appear in our ULS member’s mailing list.
On a rather disheartening note, it has been observed that many cases of professional misconduct among lawyers are being reported and that a big number of the lawyers summoned to answer to the complaints brought against them, are actually disregarding summons to appear before the Law Council. It has been noted that some do not even bother respond to the request to file written explanations regarding the complaints filed against them. I have been requested to inform the entire membership that this tendency may cause the Law Council to invoke more stringent measures in dealing with those called before the Disciplinary Committee or those who defy the established disciplinary mechanisms.
May I also take the opportunity to remind our selves of our obligations to ethical and good conduct in the practice of our profession as well as to self improvement through Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and of our social responsibility to the wider society through Pro Bono. The importance of adhering to our professional ethics cannot be over emphasized and on the later two, - (CLE & Pro bono) they are also mandatory legal requirements for one to carry-on legal practice in Uganda. This year, we are expected to observe full compliance in these areas and you are called upon not to be caught unawares.
Finally, I look forward to interacting with many of you in the course of the times ahead and during the Society’s programmes and activities and, - I do indeed use this occasion to encourage and challenge all of us to interest ourselves and, as part of the wider team, actively participate in all efforts meant to build ours as a strong Society.
Yours in service
Bruce Kwarisiima Kyerere
President -ULS
Kampala, June 2009.
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