The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has expressed deep concern over the unexplained delays in hearing cases involving its President, Isaac Ssemakadde, who seeks to restore his right to liberty and overturn the arrest warrant and two-year jail term imposed on him.
As the ULS held a press conference to discuss Ssemakadde’s ongoing legal battles, members of Uganda’s Parliamentary Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee were also engaging with judicial leaders, accusing them of undermining justice—especially for individuals seeking bail.
According to Parliament Watch, lawmakers criticized the judiciary for mishandling bail applications, with some questioning whether certain judicial officers possessed even basic common sense.
The criticism was led by Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) and Medard Ssegoona (Busiro East), who spoke strongly during a meeting with judiciary officials presenting the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement.
“There is this simple thing called bail. And someone adjourns a case for two weeks to grant bail. This is madness. It is unprofessional, illogical, and lacks common sense. A decision should be made—whether to grant bail or not—without unnecessary delays. Yet some judicial officers take weeks to deliberate. This is unjust and unacceptable,” Katuntu argued.
The committee also condemned the judiciary for imposing exorbitant bail fees on suspects. Katuntu accused judicial officers of “vulgarizing” and monetizing the bail process, questioning why money had become the central factor in determining whether bail is granted.
“Why is money such a critical factor in bail? Why not explore alternative mechanisms to ensure attendance, rather than focusing solely on economics? Bail should be about securing attendance in court, not about money. If I cannot afford it, I am denied that right,” Katuntu said.
Ssegoona echoed this frustration, stating, “Adjournments for bail applications are absurd. Someone is told they must wait two or three weeks for a decision on bail. This contradicts the Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to freedom unless there is legal justification for detention. By delaying decisions, the judiciary is unjustly contributing to the incarceration of innocent people.”
Amidst these wider concerns, the ULS has condemned the delays in Isaac Ssemakadde’s legal cases. Ssemakadde, who is currently in exile, was convicted by High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana for contempt of court after criticizing the judge’s decision to block the ULS elections for representatives to the Uganda Judicial Service Commission. Ssemakadde is also wanted at Buganda Road Court for insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
Addressing the media at the ULS Secretariat in Kampala, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe expressed frustration over the ongoing delays, noting that they have created a perception of animosity between the judiciary and the ULS.
The ULS has also raised concerns about the refusal of courts to schedule hearing dates for cases filed by Ssemakadde and other cases involving the ULS. The organization has stressed the need for prompt resolution of these cases to protect Ssemakadde’s rights, restore public trust in the judiciary, and maintain the integrity of the justice system.
Several critical cases involving Ssemakadde and the ULS are currently pending before the courts. These include:
- High Court Criminal Division Miscellaneous Application No. 0030 of 2025: Ssemakadde is seeking to stay or suspend a private prosecution case at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court, filed by fellow lawyers Joshua Byamazima and Tony Tumukunde. The charges accuse Ssemakadde of his controversial leadership style.
- High Court Civil Division Miscellaneous Application No. 137 of 2025: This application seeks a stay of execution or suspension of Judge Ssekaana’s conviction and two-year sentence against Ssemakadde. However, the application has not yet been assigned to a judge or scheduled for hearing.
- Three appeals at the Court of Appeal: These challenges stem from Judge Ssekaana’s decision to cancel the ULS’ Extraordinary General Meeting, an issue that remains unresolved.
- High Court Civil Division Miscellaneous Cause No. 33 of 2025: A habeas corpus application concerning the military detention of ULS member, lawyer Eron Kiiza, is also awaiting resolution.
The ULS has called for open communication and cooperation with the judiciary’s top management to address these issues.
While the ULS has accepted Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao’s offer to facilitate mediation between the Bar and the Bench, the organization has made it clear that such efforts should not delay the swift resolution of Ssemakadde’s cases. These cases are critical not only to Ssemakadde’s personal liberty but also to the broader democratic mandate of the legal profession.
The tension between the judiciary and the ULS goes back to January 2022 when Judge Ssekaana fined lawyer Male Mabirizi 300 million shillings for contempt of court. After continued insults, Mabirizi was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In response, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde criticized Ssekaana on social media using offensive language, which Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo later described as the most serious issue of his tenure.
Owiny-Dollo demanded an apology from the ULS, threatening further action if the request was not met. A month later, Ssemakadde was issued an international arrest warrant and sentenced to one year in prison for contempt.
Despite these challenges, the ULS has remained steadfast, calling for urgent mediation and a resolution that will restore confidence in the judiciary, ensure fairness in the justice system, and uphold the rule of law in Uganda.
