The Chief Magistrate of Buganda Road Court has issued an arrest warrant for Isaac Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), after he failed to appear in court.
Ssemakadde, who assumed leadership of ULS under the banner of the Radical New Bar, is facing charges of insulting the modesty of a woman, an offense under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi issued the order on Monday, February 24, 2025, calling for Ssemakadde’s immediate arrest and urging his prompt appearance in court.
The charges stem from remarks allegedly made by Ssemakadde during a symposium in November 2024, where he is accused of insulting Justice Jane Frances Abodo, Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions. The comments, which went viral on social media, sparked widespread outrage.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Ssemakadde’s legal team argued that his appearance in court was unnecessary, asserting that he had legal representation.
They described the request for an arrest warrant as “unnecessary and prejudicial.” However, the prosecution insisted on his physical presence in court to formally address the charges.
This arrest order follows another legal issue for Ssemakadde, who was sentenced to two years in prison for contempt of court by High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana.
Ssemakadde’s social media posts, which included offensive remarks about the judiciary and targeted Judge Ssekaana, were seen as undermining the authority of the court. Justice Ssekaana condemned the attacks, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence, while Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo called the comments a “vulgar, primitive assault” on the judiciary.
As Ssemakadde remains at large, the situation continues to attract significant attention, raising important questions about the balance between free speech and the accountability of public figures within the legal profession.
