By Sulaiman Kauki
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced a peaceful strike on what they described as rising constitutional violations and rights abuses in the country.
As the world commemorates International Day in Support of Victims of Torture this Friday, the group say they will instead lay down their tools, suspend operations and keep their offices locked.
These, they say is a peaceful message to all persons of authority and responsibility to act and put to an end the erosion of the rule of law and a call to emphasise why it must be jealously guarded.
The peaceful protest started on Thursday afternoon with the suspension of all services and locking the office during working hours, and will run throughout Friday.
Uganda Law Society Vice President Mr Anthony Asiimwe told the members from their office on Thursday that throughout Friday, they will dress in black attire and gather in graveyards across the country to mourn and demand justice.
He further alleged that the courts of law have become discouraging to Ugandans who seek justice, since they have failed to protect the constitution, leaving many yearning for justice.
‘’We looked at what is happening currently, it is so discouraging that in the past, the court, which should be the bedrock of justice, the judges who should be protecting the citizens are the ones removing all the necessary shields,” Asiimwe stated.
Adding: “This is beyond political affiliations; this issue affects every Ugandan regardless of your religion, status, it doesn’t matter,” he further said, explaining the Friday strike.
Mr Asiimwe noted that the bar will peacefully and lawfully protest against alleged torture, arbitrary detention, intimidation of advocates and unlawful conduct in the administration of justice.
He announced that the ULS headquarters at Acacia Avenue, Kololo, will remain closed, and a notice already pinned with labels such as “Closed, lawyers on strike, in solidarity with victims of torture.”
Mr Asiimwe says that when the offices reopen will be a matter that the team will agree upon later.
Their action also follows the abduction and charging of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is the legal representative of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, with misprision in treason.
The lawyers say Mr Lukwago was exercising his legal duty.
Mr Adam Nuwamanya, head of communications, ULS, said the strike will continue after Friday.
“The strike will continue, but the intensity of it is on Friday; we shall first watch the aftermath of Friday as we go on,” Mr Nuwamanya said.
In the same regard, the ULS acting secretary, Babu Ssali, said the action also carries a humanitarian message in commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
‘’The strike has a humane dimension as it’s intended to spotlight the betrayal of anti-torture commitments, which are intended to promote dignity and prosperity. All law firms are encouraged to close all chambers and firms apart from emergency work,’’ he said.
He urged all lawyers to wear black ribbons and armbands and observe mourning activities in remembrance of the victims.
‘’Silence can break the rule of law; participants are encouraged to speak out against those who violate the law, as well as applaud those who have added a voice to the law.’’
He said they should strike at the graveyards due to the symbolic significance of pain and suffering Ugandans go through after losing relatives due to alleged torture by the state agencies, including security, calling for the need to reverse the trend.
People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Speaker Proscovia Salaam Musumba said that despite Uganda having a constitution, it has increasingly been weakened, citing that this has defeated the reason why it was instituted to champion democracy, good governance and accountability.
‘’The constitution remains an alien document to the people out there, and so they cannot even use it to defend themselves.’’