Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court issued an arrest warrant for Isaac Ssemakadde, the President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and one of the country’s most outspoken legal rebel.
The decision delivered on Monday morning follows his failure to appear in court despite multiple summonses over charges of indecently insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi in his ruling emphasized that Ssemakadde had been duly served and had no valid reason for his absence dismissing claims of a pending High Court ruling as insufficient grounds for delaying proceedings.
“The accused was duly served with summons, and an affidavit of service is on record. While there is a pending application for a stay of proceedings, it is established law that such an application does not amount to an order of stay. The defense counsel has not given sufficient reasons for his absence, and the court cannot extend summons a third time without a valid reason.”
With this firm stance, the court effectively removed all legal barriers to his arrest setting the stage for a confrontation between the state and one of its fiercest legal critics.
Ssemakadde is no ordinary lawyer. He is the founder of the Radical New Bar a movement challenging judicial corruption, repression, and incompetence in Uganda’s legal system.
Known for his sharp tongue, social media activism and bold courtroom battles, he has openly accused the judiciary of being a political tool for the regime.
His frequent clashes with government officials including calling out corruption, judicial bias and human rights violations have made him a hero to activists and a menace to the establishment.
Many see this arrest warrant as part of a broader effort to silence dissenting voices.
The warrant has triggered a massive backlash, with activists, legal practitioners and opposition figures decrying it as a politically motivated attack.
The hashtag #FreeSsemakadde is trending, with many warning that his arrest would set a dangerous precedent for judicial independence and free speech.
“This isn’t about enforcing the law. This is about punishing a lawyer who refuses to bow down to power. If Ssemakadde can be targeted, then no one is safe from politically motivated prosecutions.”
On the other hand, government supporters argue that no one is above the law, insisting that Ssemakadde must answer for his alleged offenses. A senior legal analyst provided a balanced perspective.
“The law applies to everyone, whether they are a lawyer, activist, or ordinary citizen. But the way this case has unfolded raises serious questions about judicial neutrality and selective prosecution.”
This case is about the state of justice, free speech and the rule of law in Uganda.
