By Isaac Tayebwa,
KAMPALA
The Uganda Law Council has rescinded its earlier decision to deny Kenyan lawyer, Martha Karua a temporary practicing certificate to represent Dr. Besigye in the General Court Martial.
It should be recalled that in rejected Karua’s application to represent a 50-members legal team for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya who are facing charges related to security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition in the General Court Martial. The council cited our lack of proper documentation and political motifs against Karua.
However, this was received with backlash from different legal minds including the Law Society of Kenya which threatened suspension of Ugandan advocates practicing in Kenya.
This prompted the ULC to convene a special meeting to reconsider its decision.
In a meeting on Monday (January 6), chaired by justice Irene Mulyagonja, council members unanimously agreed to grant the certificate to Karua enabling her to temporarily practice in Uganda.
“After the global banging of the table, the government has understood that these decisions have real livelihood consequences. The legal profession is not a Ugandan creation,” said Isaac Ssemakadde, president of the Uganda Law Society.
He said the council’s decision gives a leeway to international legal practitioners to come and freely practice in Uganda.
“We thank the law council for having a change of mind,” he told journalists.
Karua will now have to file the certificate to GCM to be able to represent Dr. Besigye and Lutale who are expected to return to court tomorrow for further hearing of their case.
