Members of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) have begun their nationwide strike over the arbitrary arrest and detention of Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
In a brief video message posted on their X handle, the ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, revealed that the strike, slated for Friday 26th had begun on Thursday, with the closure of the ULS headquarters along Acacia Avenue.
“As we had communicated earlier, we requested all the members of the bar, all the lawyers to close shop beginning today and now. As we continue tomorrow, and to the members of staff here at the ULS House, to our guests, we are closing this place in the next 10 minutes” he said.
He added, “Madam CEO and your team, I expect to have everyone leave immediately. I’m locking the place I’m going with the key, I’ll be the one to open” he said.
Following the recent dramatic arrest of Lukwago, a Senior Counsel in the country’s legal fraternity by Special Forces Command (SFC) operatives, detention and after charge with misprision of treason, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde warned that lawyers across the country are prepared to down their tools unless the Director of Public Prosecutions drops the charges against Lukwago.
“The Uganda Law Society has notified the Chief Justice that advocates throughout Uganda shall commence an industrial strike immediately should the Director of Public Prosecutions fail to withdraw these politically motivated charges against our colleague Erias Lukwago” he said.
He added, “This is not merely about Erias Lukwago. It is about the survival of the legal profession, the independence of advocates and the constitutional right of every Ugandan to legal representation without fear of intimidation or persecution”.
Lukwago is who is also the acting president of People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, was charged alongside Frank Kihehere, Joel Wakayima, Dr Kizza Besigye , Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulega among others.
According to prosecution, between 2021 and November 2024, across various places including Kampala and Nairobi, Kenya, Lukwago knew that high-profile opposition leaders including Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Kizza Besigye, Joel Wakayima, Frank Kihere Atukunda, and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, intended to commit treason but deliberately failed to inform authorities or prevent the crime.
Lukwago is expected back in court on June 30th for mention of the case, which coincides with his clients Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid appearance before the High Court to start their treason trial.
According to observers, the strike signals that the legal profession is preparing for a prolonged campaign over what lawyers describe as attacks on the independence of the Bar, the judiciary and the rule of law.
