Africa-Press – uganda. LAW | JUSTICE | CORRUPTION |Supreme Court judge Mike Chibita has urged lawyers to prioritise service to the country and not selfish wealth gain in their profession.”As lawyers, we like accumulating as much as we can for ourselves, but you soon realise that it all adds up to nothing in this world. I urge you instead to be servants and use your God-given abilities to serve,” he said.Although there are thousands of lawyers in Uganda, access to legal services remains difficult and expensive. This has led to many unresolved disputes and mob justice.Chibita said the situation would change if more lawyers realised the greater duty they have to Ugandans, especially by extending pro bono services to vulnerable people.”We are not in it for gain, but for sacrifice,” he said, adding: “We are stewards not owners.” Chibita was speaking during the induction of new board members of the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity (UCLF) at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala over the weekend. The organisation was started as a Christian fellowship of students at Makerere but has grown into a big organisation that is involved in a number of activities, including providing legal aid to vulnerable groups.The function was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Government George Bamugemereire, Uganda Registration Services Bureau deputy registrar Jane Okot P’Bitek and Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana of Foundation of Human Rights Initiative.Ssewanyana urged the new leaders of UCLF to start initiatives that benefit the public such as public interest litigations.”We need to have an appreciation for legal matters that have benefits of a wider community,” he said, adding that although tedious, it has shown a lot of benefits for the growth of democracy.”In countries like India, that is how democracy has grown,” he said. Prof. Monica Chibita, the head of the journalism faculty at Uganda Christian University, Mukono, who was the facilitator of the ceremony, urged the new board to stick to the mission of UCLF, and resist the temptation into selfish financial gain.Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, a former president of UCLF and lecturer at Makerere University, congratulated UCLF for electing Anne Muhairwe as its first female president. In her acceptance speech, Muhairwe said: “I know it is not going to be easy, but the God who has called me to serve will give me the impetus to lead for his glory.”
