The Uganda Law Society (ULS) Council has expelled its President, Isaac Ssemakadde Kimeze, and Vice President, Anthony Asiimwe, over allegations of gross misconduct.
In a statement released on Saturday night, ULS Secretary Phillip Munaabi announced the decision, emphasizing the need to restore public trust in the legal profession in Uganda.
“To safeguard the reputation of the Uganda Law Society and prevent further harm, we resolve to expel Mr. Isaac Ssemakadde Kimeze from the Council,” the statement read.
The expulsion comes in response to public backlash over Ssemakadde’s offensive remarks about Justice Jane Frances Abodo, Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions. His comments, which included a derogatory reference to her as a “Karamojong vagina,” were condemned as vulgar and disrespectful.
The ULS Council stated that such comments have tarnished the society’s reputation and strained relationships with donors, putting at risk legal aid services for over 40,000 vulnerable individuals.
However, the decision has sparked controversy. Ssemakadde’s supporters have vowed to fight the expulsion, questioning the legality of the ULS Council’s actions.
The ULS Constitution and governing laws provide specific grounds for removing Council members, including suspension from practice, mental incapacity, conflict of interest, imprisonment, or removal by a special resolution passed by ULS members in a general meeting. Critics argue that none of these conditions apply to Ssemakadde or Asiimwe, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the Council’s decision.
The Council also cited Vice President Asiimwe’s involvement in financial misconduct, including unauthorized control of ULS funds and spreading false allegations of a staff “witch-hunt,” as contributing factors to the expulsions.
Despite the objections, the ULS Council has taken steps to bar Ssemakadde and Asiimwe from ULS premises, emails, and property, warning that violations could result in criminal charges. A caretaker committee led by Munaabi will oversee ULS operations going forward.
This crisis has reignited discussions about gender and tribal bias within Uganda’s legal community, particularly as the scandal began with Ssemakadde’s attacks on Justice Abodo, the first female DPP and a member of the marginalized Karamojong ethnic group.
Legal experts warn that the expulsion could lead to a protracted legal battle, further damaging the ULS’s credibility and straining its relationships with key partners and donors supporting its legal aid initiatives. The coming weeks will be critical as Ssemakadde’s legal team prepares to challenge the decision.
