Former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe is spearheading a mediation process aimed at resolving the protracted standoff between the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the Judiciary, in what is emerging as a significant effort to restore relations between the Bench and the Bar.
The development was revealed on Friday by Uganda Law Society Vice President Asiimwe Anthony during an Alternative Dispute Resolution conference in Mbarara, where he confirmed that discussions were already underway under the guidance of Katureebe, an experienced jurist and former head of the Judiciary.
“As I speak, we are engaged in an important mediation of all Uganda Law Society matters before the eminent Chief Justice Emeritus Bart Katureebe,” Asiimwe said, dismissing suggestions that the current ULS leadership is opposed to dialogue.
The mediation effort comes at a time when pressure has been mounting from within the legal fraternity for reconciliation following months of strained relations between the two institutions.
Tensions have been particularly high since the election of Isaac Ssemakadde in September 2024, with disagreements escalating into public confrontations and court battles involving senior judicial officials.
The dispute worsened in early 2025 after then Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo reportedly barred Ssemakadde from addressing the opening of the New Law Year and demanded an apology over remarks directed at senior judicial officers, further deepening divisions.
The latest mediation initiative is being coordinated by senior members of the legal profession, including Prof. Ssempebwa, Senior Counsel Francis Gimara, Advocate Robert Rutaro, and Advocate Zubeda Namutebi, according to Asiimwe.
He said the talks are intended to address a wide range of grievances involving the Uganda Law Society and various actors within the justice sector, with the aim of reaching an out-of-court settlement.
Calls for reconciliation were also echoed by retiring Court of Appeal judge Frederick Egonda-Ntende, who recently urged both sides to embrace dialogue and mutual respect as a way of easing tensions within the justice system.
During his farewell remarks in May, Egonda-Ntende expressed disappointment over the absence of official representation from the Uganda Law Society at his send-off, using the moment to appeal for greater inclusivity and tolerance of differing views within the Judiciary.
The Chief Justice, Flavian Zeija, did not publicly respond to the renewed calls for reconciliation or comment on the ongoing mediation process during the same period.
Observers within the legal fraternity say the Katureebe-led initiative could mark a turning point in efforts to rebuild trust between the Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society after more than a year of escalating tensions, public exchanges, and legal confrontations.
If successful, the mediation is expected to provide a structured path toward resolving disputes that have increasingly threatened cohesion within Uganda’s justice sector.
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