January 11, 2024.
KAMPALA, Uganda | In a legal tug-of-war, Uganda’s Attorney General has petitioned the High Court, seeking an order to halt an Extraordinary General Meeting convened by the Uganda Law Society to discuss alleged misconduct by Hoima resident judge, Justice Jesse Rugyema. The application, scheduled for today morning, seeks an interim order to restrain the Law Society from proceeding with the meeting until the main case is heard.
The Attorney General contends that the Law Society overstepped its mandate, emphasizing that the handling of judicial misconduct cases falls within the jurisdiction of the Judicial Service Commission. He argues that the actions of the Law Society are not only illegal but also undermine the independence of the judiciary.
The Law Society had announced the virtual EOGM set for Friday, January 12, 2024, to address a petition filed by members, including lead petitioner Kizza Eron. The petition alleges instances of gross misconduct, incompetence, bias, irregularities, and illegalities against Justice Jesse Rugyema, specifically related to the Tilega Project Affected Persons.
The crux of the matter revolves around a ruling issued by Justice Rugyema on December 8, 2023, in a land case concerning 42 landowners contesting proposed compensation rates. The judge’s decision, delivered within four days without allowing the accused parties to respond, pertained to hindrances in the relocation of oil infrastructure for Total Energies’ Tilenga project.
Petitioners argue that such swift rulings, seemingly violating established legal principles, erode the rule of law and infringe upon fundamental human rights. The ruling instructed the government, through the Ministry of Energy and the Attorney General, to deposit compensation funds with the court, thereby clearing 59.674 acres of land for petroleum grounds under the Tilenga Project.
The High Court was expected to deliberate on the Attorney General’s petition earlier this morning, offering insights into the complex interplay between legal institutions in safeguarding the integrity of the justice system.
