The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde after he failed to appear in court for the second time.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi issued the order on Monday, February 24, 2025, following Ssemakadde’s failure to attend proceedings related to a case in which he is accused of making offensive remarks against the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
The case was brought forward by private lawyers Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde under a private prosecution. The allegations stem from statements Ssemakadde made on November 18, 2024, at the Katonga Road offices of the People’s Front for Freedom, where he reportedly used derogatory language to insult Justice Abodo.
This marks the second time Ssemakadde has skipped court, having also failed to appear on January 29, 2025. Reports suggest that he is currently in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ssemakadde has been entangled in multiple legal battles, including a defamation suit filed by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. The Attorney General accuses him of making damaging claims about his competence and integrity. In response, Ssemakadde has maintained that his criticisms are justified and has accused Kiwanuka of undermining the legal system’s credibility.
Despite the arrest warrant, Ssemakadde has downplayed the court’s decision, dismissing it as inconsequential and expressing confidence that the legal process will ultimately clear his name.
