Magistrate Issues Warrant of Arrest against Ssemakadde

Buganda Road court has  issued an arrest warrant against Uganda Law Society President Issac Ssemakadde.

The warrant of arrest comes after the advocates’ leader snubbed 2 sets of  court summons requiring him to appear and answer to charges of insulting the modesty of the Lady DPP. 

Chief magsitrate Ronald Kayizzi orderd that semakadde be arrested by not later  than 19th/ March/ 2025.  

This is the second warrant of arrest to hover over Ssemakadde’s head after the Highcourt Judge Musa Ssekaana issued one against him 2 weeks ago for insulting judicial officers.  Justice Ssekaana further ordered that Ssemakadde be imprisoned for 2 years upon arrest.

While justfying his decision to issue the  arrest warrant today , Kayiizi said instead of appearing to plead to the charges,  Ssemakadde  sends his advocates to appear on his behalf to inform court that he is still waiting for  the out come of his appeal before the Highcourt. 

Kayiizi  has explained that the appeal in the Highcourt cannot act as a stay of proceedings and therefore court cannot issue a 3rd set of  criminals summons against Ssemakadde but rather a warrant of arrest.  

The summons issued previously arose from an application by advocates Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde, who initiated private prosecution under Section 42(1)(c) and (3) of the Magistrates Courts Act.

The complainants accuse Ssemakadde of indecent assault under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

The complainants allege that Ssemakadde’s remarks against Justice Abodo constitute a serious violation of ethical conduct, warranting accountability.

Their affidavit describes his actions as “indecent assault against the person of Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.”

On November 22, 2024, Byamazima and Tumukunde filed a complaint alleging that Ssemakadde insulted the DPP during a symposium organized by the People’s Freedom Front (PFF) on November 18, 2024, at Katonga Road in Kampala. They accuse him of making derogatory remarks, including:

“All these things like your particular kerfuffle is then given legal dressing by this vagina from Karamoja.”

Ssemakadde also reportedly referred to Justice Abodo as “a pumpkin for a DPP” and “dead wood.”