Recent legal developments in Uganda have centred on Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, a prominent, outspoken, and assertive Ugandan lawyer and president of the Uganda Law Society, who is currently the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly failing to appear in court on charges related to insulting the modesty of a woman, specifically the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
Background of the Charges
On November 18, 2024, during a symposium organised by the People’s Freedom Front (PFF) party in Kampala, The Radical New Bar President Isaac Ssemakadde reportedly made derogatory remarks about DPP Justice Abodo. The accused allegedly referred to her using an offensive term, which led to accusations of insulting the modesty of a woman under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act.
Following these remarks, lawyers Tony Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima—who had previously challenged Ssemakadde’s decision to expel the Attorney General from the Uganda Law Society Council—initiated a private prosecution against him on November 22, 2024, citing the aforementioned section of the Penal Code Act.
Isaac Ssemakadde, whom his adversaries now believe to be in exile, repeatedly failed to appear in court despite being summoned. His legal team argued that their presence sufficed—an argument the court rejected. Consequently, on February 24, 2025, the first arrest warrant was issued due to his continued absence.
With reports suggesting that Ssemakadde Kimaze Ssemakadde fled the country in fear, the court escalated the matter by issuing an international arrest warrant on March 19, 2025. This order directed the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to locate and apprehend him from any country where he might be residing.
Ssemakadde’s Response to Interpol Arrest
In reaction to the international arrest warrant, the Legal Rebel, with #NoApology, banged the table as he challenged its validity, describing the arrest warrant as unjustified and politically motivated. Ssemakadde also emphasized that a petition before the High Court was pending, seeking the cancellation of the orders issued by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court.
REBELS: My Statement on “Interpol Warrant”#RadicalNewBar #NoGulag #NoApology pic.twitter.com/f10q0h1sSu
— Isaac Ssemakadde (@IsaacSsemakadde) March 19, 2025
As of now, Ssemakadde remains at large, and the international arrest warrant remains in effect. The court has scheduled April 16, 2025, for his next appearance, should he be apprehended by that time.
As developments unfold, both the legal community and the public will be closely observing how justice, accountability, and due process are upheld in this high-profile case.
