Buganda Road Court has issued an international arrest warrant for Isaac Ssemakadde, the President of the Uganda Law Society, directing Interpol to apprehend him.
The order was granted by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi following an application by private prosecutors Tonny Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima. The two lawyers allege that Ssemakadde committed the offense of insulting the modesty of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo.
During today’s court session, Tumukunde and Byamazima requested that an international warrant be issued, arguing that Ssemakadde had fled the country. Magistrate Kayizzi, upon reviewing their submissions, ruled that he was satisfied that the accused is currently on the run and therefore authorized Interpol to arrest him wherever he may be found.
As of now, Ssemakadde’s exact location remains unknown. Authorities are expected to coordinate with international law enforcement agencies to execute the warrant.
On February 14, 2025, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana found Ssemakadde guilty of contempt of court. The conviction stemmed from a series of derogatory remarks Ssemakadde made on social media, targeting the judge and the judiciary amid an ongoing legal dispute.
Justice Ssekaana emphasized that such actions undermine judicial authority and erode public confidence in the legal system. Consequently, Ssemakadde was sentenced to a two-year imprisonment term and ordered to bear the costs of the application.
Following his sentencing, Ssemakadde failed to appear in court for subsequent proceedings. This non-compliance prompted the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court to issue multiple arrest warrants.
On February 24, 2025, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi issued a warrant after Ssemakadde did not attend a hearing concerning charges of insulting the modesty of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo. The charges, initiated by private prosecutors Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde, allege that Ssemakadde used derogatory terms to describe DPP Abodo during a public event on November 18, 2024.
