AG, law society agree to reconcile

By Andante Okanya

The Attorney General (AG) Peter Nyombi, and the Uganda Law Society (ULS) who are locked in a court battle over his suspension from the law fraternity, have agreed to hold reconciliation talks.

The disclosure was made on Monday at the High Court in Kampala when the parties to the case appeared for hearing. Justice Stephen Musota is the presiding over the case

The case arose this year on August 29, on the prompting of an extra-ordinary ULS meeting held in Kampala.

Nyombi is among others seeking court’s orders quashing the two-year suspension imposed on him by the lawyers’ body for alleged incompetence.

He was suspended on grounds that he misadvised President Yoweri Museveni on contentious matters. ULS also alleged that his opinions were inconsistent with the Constitution.

The attorney general's private legal team comprised Joseph Matsiko, Sam Mayanja, and Elison Karuhanga, while the office of the AG was represented by senior state attorney Elisha Bafirawala. 

Lawyer Mohammed Mbabazi appeared for ULS, whose president Ruth Sebatindira was also present.

Matsiko asked for an adjournment, saying the parties had agreed look into the possibility of resolving their differences outside the precincts of a court room.

“I was informed that the parties want to talk about this matter with a view of an amicable settlement. Court encourages amicable resolution of disputes,” Matsiko stated.

Mbabazi acknowledged the imminent talks but said he had not got the complete proposal.

However, the judge implored the parties to go into the talks with an open mind devoid of rigidity. Court adjourned to January 27 next year, when the parties are expected to inform court on the progress of the talks.

In the suspension, ULS cited the re-appointment of Benjamin Odoki as Chief Justice and also the appointment of serving army officer Gen Aronda Nyakairima, as Internal Affairs minister.

But Nyombi contends that ULS does not possess the powers to suspend him. He notes that he is a member of ULS section 4 of the ULS Act.

In justification of his legal opinions to the President, Nyombi states that Government has since given its seal of approval in statement. He notes that he has been noting commended for executing his duties as expected.

Nyombi slams ULS, saying it did not state any reasons to back its allegations that his legal opinions were wrong.

ULS has since filed its defence, saying the ULS general assembly has a right to disassociate itself from a member whose conduct is perceived to be contrary to the objective, principles and professional values of the society.