Ssemadde issued with a second warrant of arrest
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant of arrest for Isaac Ssemakadde, the President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) after he failed to show up for a scheduled court hearing. Chief Magistrate, Ronald Kayizzi made the ruling on Monday citing Ssemakadde’s absence in connection with charges of indecently insulting Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Court documents reveal that the charges against Ssemakadde were sanctioned on February 17, 2025, under Section 113 of the Penal Code Act. He was originally summoned to appear in court on January 29, 2025. However, his legal representatives informed the court that he was unwell and awaiting a pending ruling from the High Court, resulting in a rescheduled hearing for February 24, 2025.
Despite this extension, Ssemakadde did not appear again. His lawyers argued that there was a High Court application pending that sought to stay the proceedings. However, Magistrate Kayizzi emphasized the necessity of personal appearance for taking of pleas, stating, “While an accused person can be represented by counsel under Article 28(3) of the Constitution, he or she must appear in person.”
Kayizzi remarked that the court could not continue extending summons without valid causes pointing to the affidavit of service that confirmed Ssemakadde was duly served. The magistrate took action under Section 55(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act and mandated that the arrest warrant be returned to court by March 19, 2025.
The private prosecution was initiated by lawyers Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde who allege that Ssemakadde insulted the DPP’s modesty during remarks made on November 18, 2024. According to the charge sheet, Ssemakadde referred to Lady Justice Abodo in derogatory terms, including “a vagina from Karamoja, a dead wood, a dimwit and a shameless careerist,” during an event at the People’s Front for Freedom office in Katonga Village, Kampala.
This latest warrant marks the second issued against Ssemakadde within ten days. On February 14, 2025, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana ordered his arrest to serve a two-year prison sentence for contempt of court due to ongoing derogatory remarks against judicial officers disseminated via his social media accounts.
