The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is gearing up for a change in leadership, with three candidates vying for the presidency. The election, scheduled for September 28th, 2024, will determine who succeeds the incumbent, Bernard Oundo. Let us profile the three nominees for you, highlighting their backgrounds, experiences, and visions for the ULS.
Isaac Atukunda
Atukunda brings a wealth of experience within the ULS to his candidacy. He has served as the Honorary Secretary since 2022 and currently chairs both the Publications Committee and the Members First Newsletter Committee.
His leadership extends to his role as the chairperson of the recently concluded 7th Annual Law Conference Organising Committee. Beyond the ULS, Atukunda has been a managing partner at Credo Advocates since 2016 and served as a teaching assistant at Kampala International University, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws.
Isaac Ssemakadde Kimaze
A self-described “legal rebel,” Ssemakadde is renowned for his human rights activism. As the executive director of the Legal Brains Trust, a public interest law firm, he has championed the rights of various groups, including students, journalists, and detainees, fighting for their justice through legal representation. Ssemakadde is a vocal advocate for transparency, accountability, and human rights protection within the ULS and the broader legal profession.
Kenneth Kipaalu
Kipaalu boasts a strong legal background with experience in both the judicial and private sectors. He served as a Research Officer at the Supreme Court of Uganda from 2016 to 2019 before joining KTA Advocates, where he currently heads the Dispute Resolution practice.
His involvement with the ULS includes serving as the representative to the Law Council Committee on Legal Education and Training. Kipaalu also held the position of chairperson of the Young Lawyers Committee and served as the President of the Makerere Law Society during his time at Makerere University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws.
He later received a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre and is currently pursuing an LLM at Liverpool John Moores University. Kipaalu’s platform centres around addressing key challenges within the ULS, including governance, member welfare, disunity within the society, upholding the rule of law, and fair client remuneration.
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The upcoming ULS election presents a crucial moment for the legal profession in Uganda. Each candidate brings unique strengths and perspectives to the table, promising to lead the Uganda Law Society in addressing critical issues and advocating for the interests of its members.
