The Uganda Law Society (ULS) members have condemned in strongest terms the use of vulgar and abusive language during campaigns for ULS Presidency, whose elections are slated to take place on 28thSeptember ,2024 at Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo in Kampala.
Mr. Tonny Tumukunde, a Private Practicing Advocate, while addressing a media conference at Fairway Hotel, in Kampala on Wednesday, said ULS members are very much concerned with the behavior exhibited by some of their own, during campaigns for the position of Presidency of the Uganda Law Society.
“It’s against ULS Professional ethics for one to use abusive and vulgar language against any member of the Law Society, a high ranking official in the Judiciary or Government during campaigns”, he said.
Without mentioning names of the candidates embroiled in the use of vulgar language, Mr. Tumukunde said it’s so shameful for an aspiring candidate for ULS President position to start calling names the Attorney General, Chief Justice and the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), in their quest to solicit for support and votes from ULS members during elections.
Mr. Frank Ddungu, also an Advocate and member of ULS, said the use of vulgar language by ULS Presidential aspirants has spilled over to members of the public who are not lawyers and gone viral on social media, which taints the image of ULS.
“Use of vulgar and abusive language during campaigns amounts to character assassination and is a criminal offence punishable by Ugandan Laws”, he said.
He said the role of ULS President is to coordinate members’ interests with various state and non-state actors for their wellbeing. He cited the office of the Attorney General, DPP and that of the Chief Justice, as being key partners to ULS daily functions and need to be respected by all members of ULS.
“ULS members have resolved to name and shame any member who will go against the society’s professional ethics, if the affected members, in the use of vulgar language don’t pull up their socks”, Mr. Cohen Tumwine, ULS member and an Advocate told Journalists at the end of the Press Conference.
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