ULS slams Judiciary over ‘Inexplicable’ delays in cases involving Bar President Ssemakadde

Kampala, Uganda:- The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has raised alarm over persistent judicial delays obstructing critical legal proceedings involving its President, Senior Counsel Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, whose plight has ignited growing concern within the legal fraternity.

In a statement released on Thursday, April 3, 2025, ULS Vice President Asiimwe Anthony condemned what he described as “inexplicable delays” in handling cases involving Mr. Ssemakadde and the bar itself, which he said are breeding suspicion of antagonism between the Judiciary and the legal profession.

“The Uganda Law Society (ULS) expresses grave concern about inexplicable delays affecting numerous ongoing legal proceedings involving our organization and its President, Mr. Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, S.C. These delays create the impression of animosity between the Judiciary and the ULS,” the statement reads in part.

Mr. Ssemakadde, a prominent advocate and outspoken rights activist, has recently been embroiled in a series of legal disputes that have attracted significant public attention. Among those is the international warrant issued by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi compelling police both locally and internationally to arrest him on sight for failing to honour court summons over the case of ‘insulting’ the person of DPP Jane Frances Abodo.

Additionally, Judge Musa Ssekaana also sentenced Ssemakadde to two years in jail in February 2025 over alleged derogatory remarks he made against him on social media.

The tensions between Ssemakadde and the Judiciary escalated further when Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo barred Mr. Ssemakadde from speaking at the 2025 New Law Year opening, demanding an apology for the alleged insults towards Justice Ssekaana, which the RNB leader refused to make.

Despite a call for cordial engagement with the Judiciary to resolve the dispute and work in harmony, Mr Asiimwe says the impasse persists, which has led to the mysterious disappearance of the ULS President from the public eye, with his exact whereabouts still unknown.

“The ULS previously called for cordial engagement with the Judiciary Top Management (January 16 letter), and Hon. Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, offered to facilitate mediation. Our response remains: resolve the relevant cases promptly,” the Bar Vice President noted, emphasizing that dialogue alone cannot substitute for justice.

“A Mediation Summit of Bar-Bench Leaders should not obstruct the timely disposal of cases concerning the President’s personal liberty, the democratic mandate of the legal profession, and the services owed by ULS to the Government, Judicial Service Commission, the Courts and the public,” he added.

The ULS has, therefore, demanded the urgency of resolving these matters to safeguard Mr. Ssemakadde’s personal liberty, restore public confidence in the Judiciary, and ensure the continued delivery of judiciary services.

“As the governing body for legal practitioners in Uganda, we emphasize that prompt resolution of these cases is essential to safeguard President Ssemakadde’s rights, restore confidence in the judicial system, and uphold the principles of justice.”