In a significant move towards unity within the legal community, @RobertRutaro , the former leader of the breakaway faction known as the Uganda Bar Association (UBA), has announced the dissolution of this ‘rebel’ group.
His announcement comes as a call for reconciliation among Ugandan lawyers, urging a collective focus on shared goals within the legal profession.
Rutaro, who was instrumental in mobilizing the UBA, made this declaration through a public statement on X, encouraging all members of the WhatsApp group associated with the ‘rebel’ faction to leave and dissolve the group. “I am ready to back your mandate and even to provide my wholehearted pro bono services to any suit filed against the Radical New Bar,” Rutaro declared, showing his commitment to unity and legal cooperation.
This move has been seen as a step towards healing rifts within Uganda’s legal community. The dissolution of the UBA faction follows months of internal strife and ideological differences that had threatened the cohesion of the legal profession in Uganda. Rutaro’s call for unity was specifically directed towards his fellow lawyers, Joshua Byamazima and Tumukunde Tonny , urging them to align their ideologies with the mandate of the Radical New Bar led by @IsaacSsemakadde , a term used to describe the new direction the mainstream bar association is taking.
The Radical New Bar has been pushing for reforms, including better access to justice for the less privileged, enhancing professional development, and ensuring ethical conduct among lawyers. The integration of the UBA’s members back into the fold is expected to bolster these efforts, reducing what Rutaro referred to as “trivial bickering.”
Legal analysts in Uganda view this reconciliation as a positive development for the profession. “This is a moment where the focus can return to the core issues of law practice, advocacy, and public service rather than internal politics,” said Dr. Simon Peter Opolot, a legal scholar at Makerere University.
The announcement has sparked a wave of discussions on social media, with many lawyers and legal enthusiasts applauding the move. “It’s about time we work together for the betterment of justice in our country,” tweeted @LegalEagleUG, reflecting the sentiment of many in the community.
The dissolution of the UBA faction could also lead to a more unified front when dealing with legislative changes or when advocating for the rights of lawyers and their clients. It remains to be seen how this reconciliation will play out in practical terms, particularly in terms of policy influence and legal practice in Uganda.
As the legal community looks forward, the focus will likely shift to how this new era of unity will translate into actions that benefit both the profession and the public they serve. Rutaro’s pledge of pro bono services is a testament to his commitment to this new chapter, signaling a hopeful future for legal practice in Uganda.
