In the twilight of the Uganda Law Society’s current council and as Uganda’s legal community peers into the chasm between ideal justice and lived injustice, there emerges a singular figure whose life and vision might well redefine what leadership of the Uganda Law Society can, and must, become. That figure is Counsel Eron Kiiza. He must be voted ULS President, not merely as a change of guard, but as the catalyst of a legal reawakening. Here are the reasons why voting for Kiiza is not only justified, but urgent, rational, and morally imperative.

At the heart of his campaign is “UnChain The Bar”, a clarion call to free the legal profession and the justice system from the stifling regulatory, judicial, political, and economic chains that today threaten to eviscerate the rule of law in Uganda. These are not empty slogans. Through his life as lawyer, poet, environmentalist, public interest advocate, prisoner, and political target, Kiiza embodies the very resistance needed.

He has personally endured political persecution, military torture, and imprisonment, not for crimes of violence or subversion, but for defending those most vulnerable and holding power to account. These sufferings are not liabilities; they are credentials of moral authority. His record in public interest and human rights speaks volumes: defending environmental sanctuaries like Bugoma Forest, litigating against land grabs that displaced thousands in Mubende, and representing voices of dissent such as novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija. These are not occasional causes; they are sustained commitments that define his professional ethos.

Kiiza’s pedigree is both grassroots and institutional. He is an Advocate of the High Court; trained at Uganda Christian University and the Law Development Centre; a member of the ULS Rule of Law Committee, Human Rights Cluster, and Advisory Committee of NETPIL. His lived experience in the trenches of advocacy has shaped him into a man unafraid of confrontation with unjust power, and yet profoundly grounded in the institutions of justice.

“UnChain The Bar” is not an abstract mantra. It speaks to regulatory chains that burden practitioners with overbearing fees and licensing hurdles; judicial chains that enable civilians to be tried before military courts; political chains that weaponize prosecution and intimidate lawyers; and economic chains that stifle the welfare of especially younger lawyers and limit access to justice for the poor. It is a program of liberation, not mere symbolism.

Few candidates can claim to have been tested by the pressures, legal, physical, political, and remained unbowed. When the system tries to swallow you, your responses matter. Kiiza’s persistent fight is not celebrity martyrdom; it is sanctified courage in defence of law. He understands that lawyers are not bureaucrats but guardians of checks and balances. He has already put forward public critique of regulatory and judicial reforms that risk weakening constitutional guarantees, so voters won’t have to hope for promises; they will have seen action.

Under his vision, the ULS is not to be a club for the powerful, but an institution with the capacity to uplift the downtrodden women, youth, environmental defenders, those without money or connections. His empathy is not theoretical; it is lived. “UnChain The Bar” is more than rhetoric. It promises to address regulatory chains, judicial chains, political chains, and economic chains. Voters deserve a leader who has diagnosed the problem in detail and proposed a credible pathway of action.

Globally, Kiiza has earned legitimacy, recognition, and participation in forums of governance and rights. He has brought Uganda’s struggles to international platforms and attracted solidarity for local causes. This comparative legitimacy gives him an edge in linking ULS to the wider struggle for rule of law, democracy, and human dignity across Africa and beyond.

His critics argue that he is too confrontational, that he risks reprisals. But leadership that is silent in the face of injustice is not leadership; it is complicity. The erosion of rule of law, the loss of professional credibility, and the reduction of lawyers to servants of the state are far costlier than the risks of confrontation. Others question his administrative capacity, yet his track record in practice, committees, and public consultation proves he blends resilience with prudence, and strategy with inclusivity.

When the Bar is chained, justice retreats into the shadows. When lawyers fear not only in the law but in life, when prosecutorial and political harassment becomes normalized, every citizen loses. The Bar is not just an association of professionals; it is a public institution charged, by virtue of its mandate, with being a bulwark against tyranny, corruption, and arbitrariness. Leadership of the ULS is thus not a personal honour; it is stewardship of collective freedom.

In him, Uganda has an opportunity to elect a President of the Law Society who is rare in form and substance: battle-tested, visionary, grounded in principle, bold in speech, and experienced in action. If the Bar is ever to unchain itself from the regulatory, judicial, political, and economic chains that now bind it, there is no safer, no more principled, and no more compelling candidate than Kiiza.

If you believe in justice as a right, not a privilege; if you believe the Bar should serve people, not power; then the only vote that aligns with those beliefs is for Eron Kiiza for President of ULS. Let “UnChain The Bar” be more than a slogan. Let it be a movement. Let it begin with your vote.

The writer is a lawyer, researcher and governance analyst. alexatweme@gmail.com

Unchaining the Bar: Eron Kiiza’s Case for Presidency of the Uganda Law Society!

 The Commercial Court of Uganda has ruled in favor of Ugandan musician Bruno K, awarding him UGX 130 million in damages after finding that Black Market Records Entertainment and its affiliates illegally exploited his music and falsely claimed ownership over his content.

In a judgment delivered on April 1, 2025, the court declared that the recording agreement between Bruno K, whose real name is Kiggundu Bruno, and Black Market Records LLC was void. The court found that the entity was legally non-existent at the time the contract was signed. Despite this, the record label continued to profit from Bruno K’s work without his consent.

Bruno K signed a one-year recording contract with Black Market Records LLC, believing it to be a legally recognized entity. However, he later discovered that the company was inactive and lacked the legal standing to conduct business.

Tensions escalated when the record label allegedly removed his songs from YouTube using forged legal documents and false copyright claims. This resulted in financial losses for the artist, as well as damage to his professional reputation.

Speaking about the case in Judicial Sound Exponent Exclusive Interview this morning, Bruno K expressed his gratitude for the court's decision, acknowledging the fear he initially had in challenging the label. He credited his legal team which comprised of Top City lawyers Tumuhaise Ferdinard of Kampala Associated Advocates and Ivan Bwowe for giving him the confidence to take the matter forward, emphasizing that he had sufficient evidence proving the breaches of contract and copyright violations.

“To enforce these rights, you need a serious top lawyer…a lawyer that makes research and understands your case. I am grateful for my lawyers, Mr Tumuhaise Ferdinand and Mr Bwowe for representing me very well. We had solid evidence” he told our reporter.

The court dismissed the defense's objections regarding jurisdiction and found that the defendants had acted unlawfully. The ruling outlined the following key decisions:

A permanent injunction was issued, preventing Black Market Records from further exploiting Bruno K’s music.

The court ordered a full audit of royalties earned from Bruno K’s songs, ensuring he receives what he is rightfully owed.

Bruno K was awarded UGX 100 million in general damages and UGX 30 million in aggravated damages.

Interest on the awarded damages was granted, along with full costs of the suit.

A counterclaim by one of the defendants was partially upheld, resulting in a deduction of UGX 2.785 million from the royalties owed to Bruno K.

Bruno K used the ruling as an opportunity to urge other Ugandan musicians to stand up for their rights. He acknowledged that many artists suffer due to bad contracts and manipulation by record labels and managers. He advised them to seek legal counsel before signing agreements and to be vigilant in protecting their intellectual property.

“There are so many artists being manipulated by record labels, they gonna step up, speak up, and go to court to gain justice

He also commended the role of the Uganda Musicians Federation, where he serves as chairperson, in advocating for artists' rights. According to Bruno K, the Federation has been actively working on implementing copyright laws and supporting musicians who face exploitation.

Speaking as a leader in the Federation, there are a lot of things the Federation is working on, implementing the copyright law. It’s not just words. The artists should join us in the Federation for assistance in enforcing the rights of the artistes,

When asked about the efficiency of the Ugandan justice system in handling his case, Bruno K expressed satisfaction with how swiftly the matter was resolved. He noted that despite the case running for over a year, the judgment reaffirmed that Ugandan courts could effectively handle copyright disputes.

“I want to thank  the Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi who listened to us, expedited the process and ensured a fair trial. I implore everyone to have faith in our courts of judicature. I learnt that our courts work and can deliver justice in a timely manner—but you also have to choose your lawyers wisely”

He urged artists facing similar challenges to trust the legal system and take action rather than suffer in silence. He also highlighted the importance of having a strong legal team to navigate complex cases, especially those involving international contracts.

Bruno K welcomed the UGX 130 million compensation, stating that it would provide him relief from the financial damages caused by the dispute. He described the situation as an attempt to "put a rope around his neck" to end his career but acknowledged that the court ruling had given him the freedom to continue releasing music without interference.

"The court has given me my freedom back," 

he said, emphasizing that the ruling was not just about the money but about reclaiming his rights as an artist.

Bruno K's victory is expected to encourage other musicians to take legal action against exploitative contracts and copyright infringement. His case serves as a precedent for the protection of intellectual property in Uganda's entertainment industry.

Bruno K Wins Landmark Copyright Case: ‘The Court Has Given Me My Freedom Back’

 — We have been honored with the prestigious 

 by the Uganda Law Society in recognition of our outstanding contribution to digital transformation and innovation in Uganda’s legal sector.

The award acknowledges our commitment to redefining legal practice and judicial education by harnessing technology to inspire deeper understanding of the law and Uganda’s justice system.

A key highlight of our innovation is the 

feature on our platform. This tool empowers Ugandans by providing quick and reliable access to qualified legal professionals, making justice services more accessible, transparent, safe and user-friendly.

“We remain extremely committed to developing digital tools that make legal practice in this century 

 our team Leader in response to the recognition.

As we continue to innovate, we call upon partners, donors, and well-wishers to 

. Contributions can be made by clicking the 

PayPal now added as our latest donation channel

. Every donation directly strengthens our capacity to build transformative platforms that empower both legal professionals and the wider public.

This recognition by the Uganda Law Society fuels our drive to shape a future where legal practice is efficient, inclusive, and digitally advanced.

Judicial Sound Exponent is a pioneering digital initiative redefining legal practice and judicial education in Uganda. Through innovative tools such as the 

 platform, we connect the public to legal expertise while also providing resources that enhance professional growth in the legal fraternity. Our mission is to make the justice system more accessible, transparent, and digitally empowered for all.

Judicial Sound Exponent Wins Uganda Law Society Digital Excellence Award

Unchaining the Bar: Eron Kiiza’s Case for Presidency of the Uganda Law Society!

Bruno K Wins Landmark Copyright Case: ‘The Court Has Given Me My Freedom Back’