The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for crisis meeting to handle issues regarding the legality of the arbitration and mediation centre which was launched recently but allegedly operating without the consent of its members.
Some disgruntled lawyers have accused ULS executive and Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) for establishing the International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation in Kampala (ICAMEK) to help protect and assist the public most especially in commercial matters or disputes.
ULS is one of the subscribers to ICAMEK whose directors are John Fisher Kanyemibwa and former ULS President Francis Gimara, with law firm, MMKAS Advocates as the company secretary.
According to USL President Simon Peter Kinobe, the members’ extra ordinary meeting has been set for May 22, 2019 and is aimed at reaching a consensus on the issue.
“It is unfortunate that instead of seeking clarification and without citing relevant provisions of the law, one of our members took to social media to smutch the good reputation of our society,” he said.
Nelson Walusimbi, one of the complainants said that ICAMEK was established without authorization by the members and that the idea has never been presented to ULS Annual General Meeting.
Kinobe however said the accusation is misplaced because the issue of ICAMEK was discussed in the recent Annual General Assembly in Entebbe where all members were present and that no objection was raised by any member.
He says ULS executive, using ULS Act as provided incorporated ICAMEK as a company limited by guarantee for the sole purpose arbitration. He said the beneficiaries would be clients and young lawyers that will participate in the arbitral process as both arbitrators and consultants.
He urged ULS members to support any initiative that would encourage the growth of young lawyers and development of alternative avenues of business.
