Uganda Law Society Orders Boycott of Chief Justice Zeija's Thanksgiving Event

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has instructed all its members to boycott an upcoming thanksgiving ceremony organized for Chief Justice Flavian Zeija in Rukungiri District. Issued through Executive Order No. 14 of 2026 by ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde, the directive bars legal practitioners from attending, sponsoring, or supporting the event.

The ULS leadership criticized the appointment process that elevated Dr. Zeija to the head of the Judiciary, describing it as irregular and lacking public participation. The society also raised serious concerns regarding systemic justice failures, pointing to the prolonged detention of political figures like Dr. Kizza Besigye and Sam Mugumya in the same region.

Mr. Ssemakadde argued that hosting a lavish celebration while local citizens face indefinite detention is insensitive. He emphasized that the judiciary’s priority should be tackling chronic case backlogs and addressing torture allegations rather than organizing social gatherings.

In response, Chief Justice Zeija dismissed the boycott directive, questioning the legal mandate of the current ULS leadership given that their two-year term expired in August. He maintained that attendance at the thanksgiving function is strictly voluntary and expressed confidence that his friends and many other lawyers would still attend the event.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor Source.