President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) Isaac Ssemakadde (centre) introduces Chief justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo to a ULS member ahead of the opening of the New Law Year in Kampala on February 7, 2025. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has vowed to take action against Mr Isaac Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), if he doesn’t stop his unbecoming behaviour of abusing judges plus coming out to render an apology.
An irritated head of the Judiciary said nobody in their rightful senses would abuse and use such vulgar words against Justice Musa Ssekaana, a judge nominated to join the Court of Appeal in the recent presidential appointments.
“If you don’t apologise to Justice Owiny-Dollo, it doesn’t matter; but please apologise to Justice Musa Ssekaaana because what you said, nobody in their right senses..., only somebody who deserves to be taken to Butabika to have their head examined could have said those things,” a tough-talking CJ said last Friday during the opening of the New Law year 2025 in Kampala.
He continued: “I hope this is the last time I’m talking about this, because next time, I will take action. This is not a threat, I will take action, but I have left all the doors and windows open (for an apology).”
Before Mr Ssemakadde became ULS president, he had allegedly insulted Justice Ssekaana, then the head of the Civil Division, by belittling the size of his manhood.
Ever since then, the relationship between him and the Judiciary broke down with the Chief Justice advising him to apologise before they can have a fresh start.
The Friday event seemed to be the first official event of the Judiciary that Mr Ssemakadde attended in his capacity as the ULS president following his election last year.
He had come for the Friday New Law event alongside a large number of his members.
As it had been the practice, it’s usually the president of the Law Society to make his/her remarks first but the protocol team didn’t include him.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo attends the opening of the New Law year on February 7, 2025 in Kampala. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI
After realising that he had been left out on the list of speakers of the day, Mr Ssemakadde walked majestically to the podium where the Chief Justice was giving his speech and whispered into his ears.
“The president of the Uganda Law Society in his typical way is invading my space and he is saying he is embarrassed as he has not been asked to come and speak. I’m not in charge of protocol, so I don’t have an answer for you,” the Chief Justice announced to the audience what Mr Ssemakadde had whispered to him.
Looking not happy, Mr Ssemakadde walked back to his seat.
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Justice Dollo towards the end of his remarks, openly told Mr Ssemakadde that it was actually him who instructed that he would not speak at the Judiciary function if he didn’t apologise for uttering derogatory words to judges.
“I think only a fool, and I really mean it; somebody insults you, degrades you, dehumanises you and then he comes to your compound and says, I want to speak as if its business as usual, it's business not business as usual,” said the Chief Justice amidst clapping from judges in attendance.
He added: “So, I’m the one who said the president of the Uganda Law Society called Isaac Ssemakadde, will not speak at the Judiciary function, nobody else.”
Mr Ssemakadde and his associates upon seeing a determined Chief Justice who was spitting fire with no chance of being handed a microphone to speak, stormed out of the event,in what seemed to be a protest march.
He briefly addressed the media outside the venue, insisting that the Uganda Law Society he leads will never apologise.
“We the Uganda Law Society present no apologise. We will not be silenced and we will remain an independent Bar; now, today, and forever. Unapologetically radical, ... and irrevocably committed to the fundamental principles of justice, accountability, and free expression,” a determined Ssemakadde said.
Earlier, before the Chief Justice threw his jabs at the ULS president, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi had also expressed his discontent against some of the members of the Law Society whom he said were exhibiting unprofessionalism by insulting the judges.
He, however, commended Mr Ssemakadde for turning up for the event with his troops in large numbers.
“We had heard threats that you were not going to come; you don’t know how happy I was to see you and I thank you for leading the troops here. These disagreements are healthy,” Mr Kafuuzi said.
President Museveni, in his remarks delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabajja, urged the judges to protect the vulnerable and women in society.
Justice minister Nobert Mao, Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja pose for a photo during the opening of the New Law year on February 7, 2025 in Kampala. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI
Mr Museveni reasoned that the Constitution was made by people through their representatives during the Constituent Assembly and therefore, the same people ought to be protected by the Judiciary.
“You should, therefore, endeavour to protect lives and property in executing your roles. The vulnerable groups in our society deserve your protection. The women, children, and those with different forms of disability need to be protected,” President Museveni said.
