The Uganda Law Society (ULS), the body that brings together lawyers in the country has elected Simon Peter Kinobe as its new President to succeed Francis Gimara whose tenure has expired.
Simon Peter Kinobe, a partner with KMT Advocates was elected through a vote held by members during the 2018 ULS Annual General Meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel on Saturday.
Kinobe garnered 760 votes while his contender, Alice Namuli got 268.
Kinobe has vast experience in the procedural concept of criminal law.
During the same exercise, the second secret ballot in the history of ULS, Pheona Nabasa Wall was elected as Vice President, Aaron Besigye as Treasurer while Anne Karungi emerged as the new Council Representative for Central.
Kinobe now takes on the leadership from Gimara, 40, who had headed the Society for the last two years.
In his tenure, Gimara made cautious efforts to advocate for the rule of law as well as vocally protesting the violations of the constitution by the political leadership.
ULS introduced quarterly publications of rule of law reports highlighting cases of human rights violations as well as making recommendations to the relevant authorities.
Last year, Gimara took a radical stand by declining an invitation by the Committee of Parliament to offer his opinion in regard to the contetious proposal to repeal the Presidential age limit from the constitution.
He was strongly opposed to the amendment the Constitution.
Gimara prides in the fact that in his term as President, ULS has gained more relevance to its members in terms of dealing with issues affecting them professionally and also providing more learning opportunities on some of the emerging legal issues.
While speaking at the closing of the Assembly, Justice of the International Criminal Court, Solome Balungi Bbosa lauded the outgoing leadership for transforming ULS into a vibrant body.
She challenged Kinobe and the new leaders “to stand tall and steadfast in the defense of the rule of law” and to use their leadership for service not self aggrandizement as is the case in other fields in Uganda.
In his remarks, Gimara said; “We have not done everything, but we have tried. I apologize for any mishaps during his tenure”.