Lawyers from Wameli and Company Advocates have petitioned the government to have them recognized as essential workers such that they are cleared to move to various courts.
According to the lawyers led by Geoffrey Turyamusiima, President Yoweri Museveni on June 17th 2021 listed the categories of essential workers but excluded Advocates.
The essential workers Museveni named included the Media, Health Workers, Security Officers, Agricultural and Veterinary Officers, those working in banking institutions among others.
But according to the letter addressed to the Attorney General, several government officials have laid down measures to curb the virus and how other essential workers will move but the Advocates have been left out.
According to the lawyers, when Advocates are not considered as essential workers it will render the justice system.
The lawyers argued that the rights of several suspects were being violated because of the failure by their lawyers to access courts.
This is the second time in one month that the lawyers are petitioning the government to clear them to move.
Two weeks ago, the Uganda Law Society, an association that brings together all the advocates in the country, equally petitioned the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health to clear them.
