Last updated on July 14th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
As the virtual Uganda Law Society elections draw ever closer, there is bound to be a roller coaster of events. And one such dip in this roller coaster ride came when Anthony Wameli dropped out of the race for President.
In a letter dated 9th August 2020 and addressed to the Chairperson of the Elections Committee for the Uganda Law Society, Counsel Wameli stated that he was withdrawing his candidature for the race due to the “drastic shift in the elections schedule that has been brought about by the nationwide lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19.”
Speaking to this publication, Wameli added that he was focusing on his election as MP for Namisindwa County.
His endorsement of Walusimbi Nelson, though, added more spice to an already heated race. On his Facebook page, Counsel Wameli wrote: “Personally, I am rallying behind my brother Walusimbi Nelson owing to his consistency in advocating for accountability, members welfare, inclusiveness and young lawyers’ issues.”
The endorsement, while being a huge boost to Counsel Walusimbi’s campaign, spells a blow to his opponents that include Ms. Phiona Nabasa Wall, the current Vice-President of the Uganda Law Society, Mr. Bernard Oundo and Ssemambo Rashid.
Counsel Wameli, it should be noted, is not a new name in the legal scene. He represented General Tumukunde in his treason case and now represents aspiring Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi and his NUP party. He also famously secured bail for suspects in the Kaweesi murder trial and his law firm, Wameli and Company Advocates early this year unsuccessfully challenged the government over its non-classification of lawyers under essential services when the nationwide lockdown has just been imposed.
He had drafted a ten-point programme in his campaign for the post which included resisting the arrest of lawyers in line with their work, encouraging membership with the ULS SACCO and resisting violation of court orders.
Benjamin Ahikiiriza is a Legal Writer And Digital Communications & Marketing Specialist majoring in Lawyers, Law Firms And the larger Legal Sector.
Benjamin currently Works as the Director of Content and Business Development At LegalReports.