Lawyers want gov’t to allocate funds for free legal services

By Our Reporter

26^th June 2019

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has appealed to government to fast truck the National Legal Aid Policy and commit funds to support free professional legal services to the citizens.

The President Uganda Law Society Simon Peter Kinobe in his remarks ahead of the Pro Bono day celebrations slated for June 28^th said meager financial resources have limited dispensation of justice because most Ugandans cannot afford legal charges for the lawyers.

Basing on this year’s theme “Pro Bono Legal Practice; Professionalism, Sustainability, Accessibility” Kinobe said Pro Bono should operate to complement and not to substitute government’s responsibility to provide sufficient legal aid services to its citizens.

Pro Bono day gives a chance to lawyers to provide free legal services especially to the most vulnerable.

Kinobe also wants government to sensitize security officers on how to handle suspects than using torture which taints the country’s image.

Meanwhile Deborah Gasana, head of legal aid and pro bono services, at the Uganda law society, said, for the last10 years ULS has enrolled 1,752, advocates who have executed over 150,000 cases for indigent Men, Women and children throughout the country.