President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS),Isaac Ssemakadde has strongly opposed Pheona Wall’s candidacy as the ULS nominee to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

In a scathing open letter released today, Ssemakadde accused Wall of undermining democratic principles and compromising the judiciary’s integrity during her tenure as ULS president from 2020 to 2022.

USL President Isaac Ssemakadde

In his letter, Ssemakadde outlined a series of alleged violations by Wall, including suppressing ULS elections for JSC representation, enabling government interference in judicial processes, and failing to address serious allegations of bribery and sexual harassment within the judiciary. He described her leadership as a “shameful subversion of democratic processes” and called on ULS members to reject her candidacy.

“Your past actions fundamentally betrayed the core principles of our institution,” Ssemakadde wrote, urging members to support leaders committed to the values of the Radical New Bar. He emphasized the movement’s principles—decolonization, demilitarization, democratization, and digital transformation—as essential to restoring integrity to the ULS and the judiciary.

Ssemakadde’s letter reflects growing tensions within the legal fraternity as it grapples with issues of accountability and independence. By opposing Wall’s candidacy, Ssemakadde has positioned himself as a champion for transparency and reform, aligning with a broader movement within the ULS to prioritize democratic ideals.

The ULS election for the JSC nominee is expected to be a heated contest, with Wall’s supporters defending her track record and critics, led by Ssemakadde, advocating for a break from past leadership practices.

As the debate unfolds, the outcome will likely signal the direction the legal fraternity intends to take in its quest for a more accountable and independent judiciary.

Below is Ssemakadde’s letter