Prof. Kanyeihamba Criticizes ‘Shocking’ Sentence Of ULS President Ssemakadde

By Spy Uganda

Professor Kanyeihamba, a respected Ugandan academic and legal pundit has expressed his shock over the sentencing of Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde. Referring to the ruling delivered by Justice Musa Ssekaana yesterday, Kanyeihamba posed a poignant question:

“The judge sat and heard a case against himself? Is this the way the Chief justice promised to punish our president Isaac Ssemakadde? Stay strong my President. In the pearl of Africa, the unexpected happens.” His tweet resonated with many who saw the outcome as an unprecedented and controversial twist in Uganda’s legal landscape.

On February 14, 2025, Justice Ssekaana sentenced Ssemakadde to two years in prison for contempt of court, following allegations that the outspoken lawyer had launched personal attacks on the judge via social media. The petition, filed by Hashim Mugisha, accused Ssemakadde of making derogatory statements about Justice Ssekaana, including false claims of sexual harassment and an “unholy alliance” between the judge, the Attorney General, and Uganda Law Society members. Ssemakadde’s critics argue that his actions were an attempt to discredit the judiciary, while his supporters contend that the ruling raises important questions about freedom of expression in Uganda.

In his ruling, the judge underscored that while criticism of judges is allowed, defamatory attacks aimed at eroding public trust in the judiciary must be condemned. “The protection of courts from attacks of this kind is vital,” he noted, emphasizing that social media has increasingly become a platform for intimidating judicial officers and influencing legal outcomes.

Meanwhile, in an unequivocal statement released on February 14, 2025, the ULS statement, issued by Vice President Asiimwe Anthony on behalf of the ULS governing council, condemned the verdict, calling it a “one-sided, irregular contempt of court decision” that is “manifestly void and of no legal effect whatsoever.” The ULS expressed their belief that the ruling was an attempt to silence Ssemakadde and undermine the Radical New Bar’s ongoing efforts to demand justice, transparency, and reforms in Uganda’s legal system.

The ULS leadership pointed to the Chief Justice’s remarks during the New Law Year ceremony, describing them as a clear indication of the extreme measures being taken to suppress the voice of Ssemakadde and, by extension, the entire Radical New Bar.

“Last week’s unfortunate statements of the Chief Justice confirmed the extreme measures which our detractors have been plotting to oppress the Radical New Bar, starting with its courageous and charismatic President Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde,” the statement reads. This reference underscores the mounting tensions between the ULS and the judiciary, which the society claims is attempting to stifle reform and dissent.

Despite the legal setback, the Uganda Law Society vowed to remain vigilant and prepare for “corrective advocacy” before the competent courts. ”The message was clear: the ULS will not back down in the face of adversity. If this blunt instrument of a misguided judicial officer was aimed at silencing our president’s voice and undermining our collective efforts, it has failed. I assure you, we will not be intimidated,” the statement boldly declared.

In addition to their response to the ruling, the ULS reiterated its ongoing call for “Radical Surgery of the Judiciary,” a campaign aimed at rooting out corrupt and incompetent judicial officers. The ULS remains determined to hold the judiciary accountable for any actions that undermine the rule of law and justice. “Our demand, via Executive Order RNB No 2 of 2024, for Radical Surgery of the Judiciary to weed out the corrupt and incompetent judicial officers and hold them accountable for their actions, remains,” the statement asserts.