By Our Reporter
The legal standoff between Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde and the judiciary has intensified, with the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court issuing an arrest warrant against him for failing to appear in court.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi took the decision on Monday after Ssemakadde skipped a scheduled hearing where he was expected to answer charges of allegedly insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
This latest development marks an escalation in the legal battles surrounding Ssemakadde, who has been a vocal and controversial figure in Uganda’s legal fraternity. The arrest warrant follows a private prosecution complaint filed by lawyers Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde over remarks Ssemakadde allegedly made on November 18, 2024, at the People’s Front for Freedom offices in Kampala.
Ssemakadde’s defense team had earlier argued that a pending High Court ruling should delay proceedings, citing their client’s illness as another reason for his absence. However, Magistrate Kayizzi rejected this reasoning, emphasizing that a defendant must appear in person to take a plea.
“The accused was duly served with summons, and an affidavit of service is on record. While there is a pending application for a stay of proceedings, it is established law that such an application does not amount to an order of stay,” the magistrate ruled, adding that there was no valid justification for Ssemakadde’s repeated absences.
Using powers under Section 55(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, the court ordered the arrest warrant to be executed and returned by March 19, 2025.
This is not the first time Ssemakadde has found himself at odds with the judiciary. Just ten days ago, on February 14, 2025, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana ordered his arrest for contempt of court, sentencing him to a two-year jail term. The judge accused him of launching sustained attacks on judicial officers through social media, making derogatory remarks that undermined the integrity of the judiciary.
Ssemakadde, known for his unapologetic and confrontational legal activism, has remained defiant in the face of mounting legal pressure. His supporters argue that his prosecution is politically motivated, aimed at silencing a strong critic of Uganda’s legal and governance systems.
With two arrest warrants now issued against him in less than two weeks, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Ssemakadde will submit to court processes or continue his resistance.
