President law Society Uganda Ssemakadde sentenced to 2 years in prison

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) currently has no president due to legal and disciplinary issues involving Isaac Ssemakadde. His conviction and two-year prison sentence have made his position legally vacant. According to the ULS Act, a president must step down if convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than six months in prison.

In February 2025, High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana found Ssemakadde guilty of contempt of court. The case was based on his social media remarks, which the court ruled as scandalous and damaging to the judiciary's authority. As a result, he was sentenced to two years in jail. However, reports say that Ssemakadde left the country before the ruling and has not yet returned to serve his sentence, making his legal situation even more complicated.

Ssemakadde’s legal troubles did not end there. On February 24, 2025, Buganda Road Court issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court for charges related to offensive communication. The accusations stem from alleged insulting remarks he made about the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo. His words were considered derogatory and misogynistic. His continued absence has raised questions about whether he intends to return and face trial.

Even before his conviction, Ssemakadde’s leadership faced challenges. In November 2024, the ULS Council removed him from the presidency, citing serious misconduct that harmed the society’s reputation. However, the removal was disputed because the ULS Constitution has strict rules on how a president can be removed, which usually include resignation, disqualification, or conviction.

Now that his conviction meets the legal conditions for removal, there is no doubt that the presidency is officially vacant. The ULS must now decide how to handle this leadership gap. According to the ULS Constitution, they can either appoint an interim leader or hold new elections to choose a new president.

The legal community in Uganda is closely watching how the ULS Council will handle this unusual situation. With ongoing legal matters concerning Ssemakadde, the society must focus on restoring stability and ensuring it follows the rule of law.