The President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Isaac Ssemakadde, has issued a stern directive to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), urging the body to expedite investigations into longstanding complaints against Judge Musa Ssekaana. Ssemakadde has set a deadline of January 15, 2025, for the findings to be published, warning of severe repercussions if the deadline is missed.
During a fiery address, Ssemakadde called for transparency and accountability within the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of addressing grievances against Judge Ssekaana that have reportedly accumulated since 2018. “If we do not have a report about the complaints by January 15, there will be gross consequences for the Commission and the judiciary as a whole,” Ssemakadde said, adding that failure to act could tarnish the credibility of the legal system.
The ULS President’s remarks included a pointed warning to key figures in the judiciary, including Judge Kabito and Principal Judge Flavian Zeija. “Ms. Kabito, do not try me,” Ssemakadde cautioned. “If you fail to deliver this report, there will be personal consequences for you individually.”
Ssemakadde also urged Principal Judge Zeija to distance himself from Judge Ssekaana, stating, “Let him fall alone.” This statement highlights the ULS’s stance that isolating Ssekaana is necessary to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.
The ULS has positioned itself as a critical watchdog, declaring its commitment to holding the judiciary accountable. “We, the bar, judge the judges and the Commission that judges the judges,” Ssemakadde asserted, reinforcing the organization’s role in upholding the rule of law.
The JSC has yet to issue a formal response to Ssemakadde’s directive. However, the ULS’s call for action underscores growing concerns about judicial transparency and fairness in Uganda. As the January deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Commission to see whether it will address the allegations against Judge Ssekaana and restore public confidence in the judiciary.
This development reflects a broader push for reform and accountability in Uganda’s legal sector, with the ULS emerging as a vocal advocate for justice and good governance.