The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued a second warrant of arrest for Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde, intensifying legal troubles for the outspoken lawyer.
The warrant, issued on Monday, February 24, 2025, follows his failure to appear in court to answer charges related to indecently insulting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo.
Court Proceedings and Grounds for Arrest
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi issued the warrant after Ssemakadde defied court orders requiring him to appear in person for the proceedings.
Court records indicate that criminal summons were initially issued for him to appear on January 29, 2025, after charges were sanctioned on February 17, 2025, under Section 113 of the Penal Code Act.
However, citing illness and a pending High Court ruling, his legal team successfully secured a rescheduling of his court appearance to February 24, 2025.
Despite this extension, Ssemakadde once again failed to appear in court on Monday. His lawyers argued that a pending High Court application to stay proceedings prevented his attendance and that they were representing him in his absence.
However, Magistrate Kayizzi dismissed this argument, emphasizing that legal representation does not exempt an accused individual from personally taking a plea.
“In my last ruling, I stated that while an accused person can be represented by counsel under Article 28(3) of the Constitution, he or she must appear in person to take a plea, as lawyers cannot do so on behalf of their clients,” Kayizzi stated.
He further explained that an affidavit of service confirmed that Ssemakadde was duly notified of the court summons and that the pending High Court application did not equate to an automatic stay of proceedings.
With no valid justification for his absence, the magistrate invoked Section 55(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act to issue an arrest warrant, instructing authorities to execute it and return it to court on March 19, 2025.
Background to the Charges
The case against Ssemakadde originates from a private prosecution complaint lodged by lawyers Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde.
The charge sheet alleges that on November 18, 2024, while at the People’s Front for Freedom office in Katonga Village, Kampala, Ssemakadde made defamatory remarks against DPP Abodo.
He is accused of using demeaning and offensive language, referring to her as “a vagina from Karamoja, a dead wood, a dimwit, and a shameless careerist.”
Second Arrest Warrant in 10 Days
Monday’s arrest warrant marks the second time within 10 days that Ssemakadde has been subjected to an arrest order. On February 14, 2025, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana issued a warrant for his immediate arrest to serve a two-year jail term for contempt of court.
This ruling stemmed from Ssemakadde’s persistent attacks on judicial officers, particularly through his social media platforms, where he allegedly made derogatory and scandalous remarks against the Judiciary.
Justice Ssekaana’s ruling condemned Ssemakadde’s conduct, emphasizing that his remarks undermined the integrity of the judicial system and amounted to contempt. The judge further warned that continued defiance of court authority would not be tolerated.
Escalating Legal and Professional Challenges
The issuance of a second arrest warrant in such a short period places Ssemakadde in an increasingly precarious legal position. His vocal stance on judicial matters and legal reforms has earned him both staunch supporters and fierce critics.
However, his latest legal battles raise questions about the implications for his leadership at the Uganda Law Society and his broader legal career.
As law enforcement agencies move to enforce the arrest warrants, Ssemakadde’s next course of action remains uncertain. Whether he will comply with the court’s directive or continue to resist legal proceedings will likely shape the trajectory of his ongoing legal challenges.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this high-profile case unfolds and what it means for the Ugandan legal and judicial landscape.