No Judge can Order a Lawyer to Kneel Down: Uganda Law Society Backs NBA
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has formally declared its full support for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following recent developments concerning alleged judicial misconduct at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a letter addressed to the President of the NBA, Mr. Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the President of the ULS, Ssemakaade, SC, conveyed strong condemnation of the incident involving Justice Mohammed Umar, describing the directive allegedly issued to a legal practitioner to kneel in court as a violation of due process, professional dignity, and the rule of law.
The correspondence, dated 18 March 2026 and referenced ULS/163/2026, followed an earlier engagement between ULS leadership and the NBA Vice President, Mr. Sabastine U. Anyia, during the 20th anniversary commemoration of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania.
According to the ULS President, the incident in Abuja reflects a broader pattern across several African jurisdictions, particularly within English-speaking former British colonies, where judicial overreach, coercive courtroom practices, and the use of outdated legal doctrines such as “scandalising the judiciary” persist.
Ssemakaade revealed that he is currently in exile, citing personal experiences of judicial persecution in Uganda. He disclosed that he was convicted and sentenced in absentia to two years’ imprisonment for “scandalising the judiciary” after refusing to comply with directives to kneel and apologise to judicial authorities. He further alleged systemic efforts to obstruct his legal practice and leadership of the ULS, including multiple arrest warrants and denial of court access.
The ULS emphasized that compelling legal practitioners to kneel constitutes not only personal humiliation but also undermines the integrity of the legal profession and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
Reaffirming its position, the ULS joined the NBA and other legal stakeholders in condemning the actions attributed to Justice Umar, warning that such conduct fosters fear within the legal profession and discourages robust advocacy.
The Society also highlighted a growing trend where legal practitioners abandon litigation practice due to intimidation and hostile courtroom environments, describing such conditions as detrimental to access to justice and the protection of fundamental rights.
To address these concerns, the ULS proposed a series of reforms, including:
* Increased awareness and implementation of international standards such as the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) and the Independence of the Judiciary (1985), as well as International Bar Association standards.
* Installation of mandatory courtroom cameras.
* Enhanced judicial ethics training focused on restraint and accountability.
* Establishment of independent disciplinary bodies with equal representation from the Bar and Bench.
* Abolition of the offence of “scandalising the judiciary” across Commonwealth jurisdictions.
* Creation of public registers for judicial complaints and expedited appellate review mechanisms.
The ULS reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with the NBA and other bar associations across Africa to safeguard the independence of the legal profession and promote accountability within the judiciary.
The statement concluded with a call for a justice system anchored on courage, integrity, and respect for the rule of law, stressing that the legal profession must remain steadfast in resisting practices that undermine its independence.
