Law society to meet over controversial arbitration entity
May 08, 2019
The agenda of the meeting, scheduled for May 22, is contained in a notice from ULS honorary secretary Francis Harimwomugasho.
Uganda Law Society(ULS) is to convene an extra ordinary general meeting(EGM), in light of the uproar over the International Centre for Mediation and Arbitration Kampala(ICAMEK).
The agenda of the meeting, scheduled for May 22, is contained in a notice from ULS honorary secretary Francis Harimwomugasho. New Vision has seen a copy of the notice dated May 7, 2019.
"Following a petition by one of our members attached hereto, notice is hereby given to you in line with Section 16 of the Uganda Law Society Act Cap 276 that there will be an extra ordinary general meeting on Wednesday May 22, 2019 at the ULS secretariat in Buye, Ntinda, starting 1:00pm," the notice states.
A section of lawyers are querying the formation of ICAMEK, saying the fraternity was included in the private arbitration entity without consent and resolution of members.
On Tuesday, Harimwomugasho, explained to New Vision the essence of the EGM, saying it is convened under special circumstances.
"The ULS act mandates us to take decisions on behalf of the members. But if something becomes controversial, we call for special meeting so that the members deliberate," said Harimwomugasho.
According to the profile on the ICAMEK website, the entity is described as an independent NGO, dedicated to advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution in Uganda and across East Africa.
The profile says ICAMEK is a private sector led institution focused on delivering the benefits of world-class Alternative Dispute Resolution to businesses, professionals, governments and communities alike.
It says the initiative was championed by ULS and Uganda Bankers' Association(UBA).ICAMEK was launched on April 25, and one of the directors is ULS president emeritus Francis Gimara.
The profile notes that that a need was identified to compliment the current Judicial system with a fair, expeditious, efficient, and flexible Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to settle both domestic and international commercial disputes.
But in the petition, the aggrieved lawyers, including Nelson Walusimbi who has been outspoken, says the debacle paints a fraudulent image of lawyers, whom the public expects to be a guiding light of transparency.
Eight sticky questions
The petitioners are so far demanding answers to eight questions
Who authorised the use of ULS as a subscriber and how!Where is the instrument?
Who appointed Gimara Director?
Isn't appointment of Gimara as first director as ULS President emeritus conflict of interest?!is it even ethical?
Have its accounts in Stanbic been scrutinised by assembly or even auditor general?
Can statutory body actually create private company?(that's if it's members consented?
Why are ICAMEK positions not advertised yet they say ULS participates?Is ULS for a few?
Who appointed private law firm to register this company?was there ever agm of bankers body and ULS?when and where?
Have individuals hijacked statutory ULS for personal gain?