The Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate has ordered the immediate arrest of Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Ssemakadde, who is currently on the run.
Ssemakadde, known for leading the ULS under his “Radical New Bar” movement, faces charges of insulting the modesty of a woman under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
“You are hereby directed to arrest the said Isaac K. Ssemakadde and to produce him before me as soon as possible. Herein fail not,” Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ordered on Monday, February 24, 2025.
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The charges stem from remarks Ssemakadde allegedly made during a symposium in November 2024, reportedly targeting Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions. The comments, which went viral on social media, sparked widespread outrage.
Ssemakadde’s legal team argued that his physical presence in court was unnecessary, as he had legal representation. They described the arrest warrant as “unnecessary and prejudicial.”
However, the prosecution insisted that he appear in person to formally address the charges.
This latest arrest order follows another legal setback for Ssemakadde, who was recently sentenced to two years in prison by High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana for contempt of court. The ruling was based on social media posts in which Ssemakadde allegedly made offensive remarks about the judiciary, specifically targeting Judge Ssekaana.
Justice Ssekaana condemned the comments, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence and public trust in the legal system. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo also criticized Ssemakadde’s conduct, calling it a “vulgar, primitive assault” on the judiciary.
As Ssemakadde remains at large, the case has reignited debates about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibilities of legal professionals in Uganda.
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