Buganda Road Court to Rule on Arrest Warrant for ULS President Ssemakadde
The Buganda Road Magistrates Court is today set to rule on whether to issue an arrest warrant for Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, who is facing charges related to alleged offensive remarks against Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
The warrant request, filed lawyers Tonny Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima, follows Ssemakadde’s failure to appear in court to answer charges of insulting the modesty of a woman.
The allegations stem from comments he allegedly made about Justice Abodo during a symposium on November 18, 2024, which later went viral on social media.
Ssemakadde’s legal team has pushed back against the move, arguing that their client should not be compelled to appear in person when he is effectively represented his lawyers.
“Our client is fully compliant with court proceedings through his legal representatives,” one of his lawyers stated, calling the request for an arrest warrant “unnecessary and prejudicial.”
However, the prosecution insists that his physical presence is required to formally respond to the charges. If granted, the arrest warrant could escalate the legal battle, potentially leading to Ssemakadde’s detention and a high-profile courtroom showdown.
The case against Ssemakadde originated as a private prosecution in December 2024, following outrage over his alleged remarks.
The proceedings have drawn widespread attention, with legal scholars and human rights activists debating the implications of prosecuting public figures for statements made in professional and academic forums.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi is expected to deliver his ruling online, setting a critical precedent for similar cases in Uganda.
If an arrest warrant is issued, it could lead to Ssemakadde’s immediate apprehension, further complicating the case. Conversely, if the court rejects the request, it could raise questions about the enforcement of laws protecting public officials from verbal attacks.