The sentencing of Uganda Law Society President, Isaac Ssemakadde, seem to have created a wide gap between the Judiciary (Bench) and the lawyers (Bar). This has been evidenced by numerous remarks by various lawyers and key stakeholders in the legal fraternity of Uganda.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) which is the umbrella body of all legal practitioners in the country, in its recent statement, issued by Anthony Asiimye, the Vice President, has vowed not to bow to Judiciary’s pressure aimed at barring them from positive criticism.
“Last week’s unfortunate statements of the Chief Justice at the opening of the New Law Year confirmed the extreme measures which our detractors have been plotting to oppress the Radical New Bar, starting with its courageous and charismatic President Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, in a desperate bid to undermine our efforts to advocate for justice and accountability.” Remarked Asiimye
He pointed out, that
If this blunt instrument of a misguided judicial officer was aimed at silencing their president’s voice and undermining their collective efforts, it has failed and promised that they won’t be intimidated by anybody.
“We must continue to stand strong and united in our pursuit of justice and accountability. Our demand, via Executive Order RNB No 2 of 2024, for Radical Surgery of the Judiciary to weed out the corrupt and incompetent judicial officers and hold them accountable for their actions, remains.”
On Friday 14th February 2025, Justice Musa Ssekaana sentenced Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde to two years imprisonment sentence for contempt of Court.
However, legal practitioners are asking themselves whether on delivering that ruling, Ssekaana considered the principle of natural justice, the right to fear hearing. they allege that Ssemakadde was not given a chance to defend himself.
Secondly, Conflict and f Interest, that the judge can’t adjudicate in the matter where himself is a complainant.
Thirdly, that contempt of Court as a charge stands when the act happened during court proceedings , well as in this matter, it seemed that the acts alleged to have been committed by the President don’t fall under that category.