High Court Orders Arrest of Lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde for Contempt of Court

Kampala, Uganda – The High Court of Uganda has ordered the arrest and imprisonment of prominent lawyer Isaac Kimezze Ssemakadde for two years after finding him guilty of contempt of court. The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice Musa Ssekaana on February 14, 2025, stems from Ssemakadde’s alleged publication of derogatory remarks against the judge and the judiciary on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

In his ruling, Justice Ssekaana stated that Ssemakadde’s persistent attacks undermined the dignity and authority of the court, emphasizing that such conduct could not be tolerated. The court noted that contempt proceedings are intended to protect public confidence in the judiciary and warned against any actions that mock the administration of justice.

The application was brought by Mugisha Hashim Mugisha, who sought declarations that Ssemakadde’s remarks constituted contempt of court and called for punitive measures, including imprisonment and a UGX 300 million fine. While the court found Ssemakadde guilty of contempt, it did not impose the financial penalty requested by the applicant.

Justice Ssekaana highlighted that as a senior lawyer and former president of the Uganda Law Society, Ssemakadde’s actions set a dangerous precedent and required strong judicial action to deter similar conduct.

“The respondent should be arrested and imprisoned for a period of two years. The costs shall be in the cause,” the ruling stated.

The decision is expected to spark debate within Uganda’s legal and human rights circles, with some viewing it as a necessary step to uphold judicial authority, while others may argue it curtails free expression.