Egesa Ronald. Photo/Courtesy
Political strategist Egesa Ronald has urged lawyers who have been seeking positions within the Uganda Law Society (ULS) representation on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to break their silence following the reported ordeal of advocate and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, warning that their credibility is being tested.
In a statement referencing internal ULS debates since December 2024, Egesa said many of the advocates publicly aligned themselves with the Radical New Bar (RNB) agenda championed by ULS leadership under Isaac Ssemakadde, particularly the push for “demilitarisation” of public institutions.
He argued that Lukwago’s recent alleged encounter involving armed operatives and concerns over due process reflects the very issues the legal fraternity has been campaigning against, particularly the perceived expansion of military influence in civilian governance.
Egesa expressed concern that despite Lukwago being a senior member of the Bar, there has been limited public reaction from lawyers who previously campaigned for positions on the Judicial Service Commission, which plays a key role in overseeing judicial independence in Uganda.
He singled out what he described as conspicuous silence from some advocates who previously sought election to the ULS slots on the Judicial Service Commission, questioning their commitment to constitutional defence in politically sensitive cases, and specifically referenced Elisonk and other participants in the recent Bar debates.
“The Bar is watching. Uganda is watching,” he said, warning that history would judge legal professionals based on whether they defended the Constitution or remained silent in moments of institutional pressure.
The Uganda Law Society has in recent months been at the centre of public debate over its reform agenda and relations with state institutions, while the Judicial Service Commission continues to oversee judicial appointments and discipline within the judiciary.
Egesa further noted that the Judicial Service Commission remains central to safeguarding judicial independence, arguing that its credibility depends on consistent engagement from legal professionals even when politically sensitive cases emerge, rather than selective participation driven by convenience or fear.
His remarks come amid renewed debate within Uganda’s legal and political circles over the boundaries between state security operations and civilian justice processes, with rights groups repeatedly warning about the risks of eroding due process standards.
He insisted that the current moment demands clear positioning from legal leaders who aspire to public roles within judicial oversight institutions.