Court issues international warrant for arrest of ULS president Ssemakadde

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued an international warrant of arrest for Isaac Ssemakadde, the President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), to appear in court on charges of insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Ronald Kayizzi, issued the warrant after Ssemakadde failed to appear in court, despite previous criminal summons and a warrant of arrest being issued against him.

Mr Kayizzi noted that Ssemakadde had been personally served with the warrant, and it was also delivered to his legal representatives, Gem Advocates, as confirmed by the affidavit of service on record. However, Ssemakadde did not attend court, and it was reported that he has fled the country.

"The prosecutors have applied for an international warrant of arrest. Given that the accused is reportedly on the run and has disregarded earlier court orders to appear, I hereby issue an international warrant of arrest to be served by Interpol," Mr. Kayizzi said. "The warrant will be returned on April 16, 2025."

Private prosecutors present in court explained that they had served the warrant to Ssemakadde’s lawyers at Gem Advocates, who are handling the case. They also submitted an affidavit of service.

"We have served all relevant documents, including the warrant of arrest, via WhatsApp to the accused's personal numbers, as we are aware he is currently out of the country. He has shown a lack of respect for the court's process," said Mr Tonny Tumukunde. "We have also served the Inspector General of Police with the warrant of arrest, as documented in the affidavit of service. The accused has continued to disobey the warrant."

Ssemakadde's lawyers were not present in court.

The complaint against Ssemakadde was filed by private prosecutors, Mr. Joshua Byamazima and Mr. Tumukunde. The charge sheet alleges that, on November 18, 2024, at the People’s Front for Freedom office in Katonga Village, Kampala, Ssemakadde insulted Lady Justice Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions. He allegedly referred to her as "a vagina from Karamoja, a dead wood, a dimwit, and a shameless careerist," intending for the words to be heard by her.

On February 14, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana ordered Ssemakadde’s arrest to serve a two-year jail sentence for his alleged ongoing attacks on judicial officers. Justice Ssekaana issued the order after Ssemakadde was found guilty of contempt of court for making derogatory and scandalous remarks about the Judiciary on his social media platforms.

Ssemakadde is currently outside the country, and it remains unclear whether he is on the run.