Humanist

“Uganda Law Society (ULS) Council has resolved that neither the Society nor its members will participate in or attend the “Opening of the New Law Year Ceremonies” on 5th February 2026,” a letter dated 3rd February 2026, from the ULS to the Judiciary reads in part.

ULS will not be “passive observers at an event of Constitutional and Professional Significance,” the letter further explains the justification of ULS for its boycott.

The overt animosity between the two institutions, each with a Constitutional mandate under the justice, law and order sector, has unfortunately, seemingly, intensified. Particularly, recalling what happened during the “2025 Opening of the New Law Year Ceremonies.”

CLICK HERE to read “Duke of Sussex Prince Harry touching people around the world with “we are invictus” spirit,” and be reminded of what happened during the 2025 Opening of the New Law Year Ceremonies.”

It is traumatizing that a year later, those often respectfully referred to as “learned fellows” have failed to find a win-win for all – for the two institutions and most importantly for we, the people, whom said institutions are established to serve.

How may we, the people, interpret this?

How then is the Judiciary operating within its declared vision of “Justice for All,” if it is unable to adhere to stipulations in the supreme law of our Republic?

Exclusion of ULS from an event at which it necessarily, ordinarily, is expected to execute its constitutional mandate raises significant terror among us, the people.

ULS is a constitutionally mandated advisor of the State and the voice (advocate) of clients of The Bar and the people of Uganda at large – “fostering access to justice, the rule of law and good governance in Uganda.”

“The scarcest and most precious of the world’s resources, character … No lack of weak moral character in the world.” Are words that were used by the Duke of Sussex in his speech at the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games 2025, Vancouver Whistler, Canada.

For justice, law and order to prevail and be the norm in Uganda, actors within our Country’s justice, law and order sector urgently need to find and acquire “the scarcest and most precious of the world’s resources, character.”

Character to rise above the small; while appreciating that, individually, they are small within the big. Pray they find power in humility. And that they harness true greatness, which comes from accepting one’s own limitations, while continuing to serve the greater good.

For now, we, the people, despair.