The National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has called on lawyers across the country to join the oppositions fight for regime change in the next year’s national polls.
“There are only two options when it comes to contributing to the struggle: If you cannot join those who are already putting their lives on the frontlines, then at the very least, do not allow yourself to be used by the oppressors. By taking that simple stand, we can move beyond blame, accusations, and the endless debate between cowards and heroes” Bobi wine noted.
Bobi wine who made the remarks while addressing lawyers during the weekly Radical New Bar discourse on Tuesday at the Uganda Law Society (ULS) head office in Kampala, further warned lawyers to be cautious of their safety before the NRM government like many youth in the ghettos nowadays.
“Dear learned friends, it is high time we, as lawyers, stopped behaving as though we are safe while the house around us, our country is burning. If even senior members of our profession, including our own president, are no longer safe, what makes the rest of us believe we are?”
Bobi Wine added, “Why complain about those members of Parliament who have overstayed in power if you’re not willing to stand against them? I couldn’t just sit back and grumble about President Museveni’s prolonged rule, I chose to take a stand. So should you”.
The ULS Council Representative for Eastern and Interim Secretary Mr Eddie Nangulu urged fellow lawyers to keep firm while full filling their advocacy roles while telling the truth in times of suppression.
“Our own President (Isaac Ssemakadde, SC) cannot be with us here. He began the strongest advocacy our legal profession has ever witnessed, which disrupted those who were comfortable with injustice. And when the truth disrupts, the state’s response is always the same: suppress it” he said.
Kalungu County West MP Joseph Ssewungu urged the lawyers to follow the courage of exiled ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde to protect the country’s constitution.
“There was a time, not too long ago, when the Uganda Law Society was in a state of slumber—drifting, uncertain of its direction. But then came @IsaacSsemakadde, SC, whose courageous and unrelenting leadership shook us out of complacency. At that time, the leadership we had only served during the Benedicto Kiwanuka Day and then, their impact dissolved. Had we continued in that direction, the Uganda Law Society could have collapsed entirely. But today, we are witnessing a revival”.
