news 19 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Law Society Rejects Museveni's Sh5bn Pledge to Protect Independence
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has firmly rejected President Museveni's 2018 Sh5 billion pledge for building its Kololo headquarters, halting all financial dealings with the Executive to preserve its autonomy. ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde emphasized self-reliance through member contributions, which have nearly completed the project despite the unfulfilled promise. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-lawyers-rejected-museveni-s-sh5b-pledge-5396970
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has decisively turned down a Sh5 billion pledge from President Yoweri Museveni, instructing its members to cease all financial interactions with the President and the ruling NRM party.
ULS President and Senior Counsel Isaac Ssemakadde issued the directive, stating that pursuing such funds threatens the organization’s independence. ‘All forms of engagement, solicitation, or negotiation for financial or material support from the President are hereby terminated with immediate effect,’ the statement declared.
The pledge, made in 2018 for constructing the ULS House in Kololo, Kampala, has remained unfulfilled. Ssemakadde labeled it inconsistent with the society’s values and criticized it as part of a pattern of broken government promises amid rising State House spending.
ULS condemned the ‘cycle of begging’ from the Executive, arguing that financial dependence erodes its role in upholding the rule of law and accountability. ‘This independence is essential for advocating justice and holding power accountable,’ Ssemakadde affirmed.
Despite the rejection, the ULS House nears completion thanks to member donations and internal fundraising, showcasing the legal profession’s resilience. The society now prioritizes boosting its own revenue streams for long-term sustainability.
State House officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)