Kampala, Uganda – Tensions increased at the Court of Appeal in Kampala on wednesday morning as scores of lawyers, led by Uganda Law Society (ULS) Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, protested the abrupt removal of several of their appeals from the court schedule including a high-profile case challenging the two-year sentence of ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde.
The removal of the appeals has sparked widespread condemnation within the legal fraternity, raising fresh questions about judicial independence and access to justice in Uganda.
“We are deeply disturbed,” Asiimwe told journalists outside the court. “The sudden removal of these appeals without proper explanation undermines due process. We came in good faith, only to be told our matters have been struck off.”
Among the affected cases is the appeal filed against the controversial two-year prison sentence handed to outspoken lawyer and ULS President, Isaac Ssemakadde.
The charges stem from his alleged insulting of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a move widely criticized by civil society and free speech advocates as an attack on dissenting voices within Uganda’s justice system.
Ssemakadde, a fierce critic of state interference in judicial affairs, has since fled the country, citing threats to his safety.
“We must not pretend this is business as usual,” said a prominent ULS member who requested anonymity. “This is judicial sabotage pure and simple. If the courts can target our own president, who is safe?”
Many described the registrar’s actions as arbitrary and unconstitutional, with some suggesting the move was politically motivated due to the sensitive nature of the cases.
“It sends a dangerous message that legal redress can be selectively denied,” said human rights lawyer Sarah Nafula. “This must be resisted.”
The registrar’s action also affects several other appeals lodged by the ULS on behalf of its members and clients. These include petitions challenging the legality of recent security crackdowns, and questionable detentions by military-backed police units.
ULS leadership has vowed to petition the Chief Justice and seek redress from the Judicial Service Commission, insisting that justice must not be compromised by fear, power, or politics.
The Uganda Law Society is now mobilizing its members for possible nationwide legal action and has called on the judiciary to restore the cases to the docket without delay.
Meanwhile, civil society groups, including Chapter Four and the Human Rights Network for Lawyers, have joined calls for a transparent investigation into what many are calling a deeply troubling erosion of judicial accountability.
As Uganda prepares for a politically charged 2026 election season, legal professionals warn that such incidents may signal broader systemic attacks on the rule of law.
“This is no longer just about Ssemakadde,” Asiimwe said. “It’s about every Ugandan’s right to be heard in court without fear or favor.”
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