The Uganda Law Society on Wednesdaybegun their three-day sit-down strike at the High Court building in Kampala in which they are protesting the increased brutality of the police force and what they term as eroding of the rule of law.

The lawyers led by their President Bruce Kyerere presented a petition to the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki and the Deputy Chief Justice Mpagi Bahigeine.

The ULS says the brutality and the excessive use of force by security agents in stopping the peaceful walk-to-work protests are worrying for the rule of law in Uganda.

Bruce Kyerere presenting the petition

They are also expressing their displeasure at the conduct and perceived partiality of Magistrate Justine Atukwasa who has presided over the trial of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye in three different court jurisdictions. Kyerere says ULS wants the magistrate be investigated wondering whether it is legal for one magistrate to move from one court to another in order to try a particular suspect of group of people.

He says that during the three-day strike, Lawyers will not go to Court or transact any legal deals. Kyerere says after the strike, the lawyers have resolved to offer free legal services to all the suspects jailed in connection to walk-to-work protests.

“This is to make a statement of displeasure on police brutality and the conduct of judiciary in the manner in which they are handling cases of arrested demonstrators,” Kyerere said.

Odoki assured the lawyers that the judiciary is committed to ensuring the rule of law in Uganda is upheld.