Buganda Road Court has unleashed the long arm of the law on outspoken lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde, ordering Interpol to arrest him on sight.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi gave the orders during a ruling today after lawyers Tonny Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima petitioned the court, demanding the arrest of the firebrand President of the Uganda Law Society.
The duo accuses Ssemakadde of “insulting the modesty” of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act.
On February 24, 2025, the same court issued an arrest warrant for Ssemakadde, ordering his immediate presentation before court. The warrant, was signed by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi.
This came after Ssemakadde failed to appear in court despite multiple summons, with his lawyers citing illness and pending High Court matters, but the court rejected these reasons.
Court issued a criminal summons ordering Ssemakadde to appear in court on January 29, 2025. However, Ssemakadde did not personally appear to take a plea. His lawyers, Derrick Bazekuketta and Nasser Kibazo, appeared on his behalf, claiming he was down with flu.
His woes started after a High Court ruling that found him guilty of contempt of court for social media attacks on Justice Musa Ssekaana, leading to a two-year prison sentence for defamation and judicial intimidation.
With Ssemakadde’s whereabouts still a mystery, the court is convinced he has escaped the country, prompting Magistrate Kayizzi to sign off on the international warrant.
“The accused is on the run outside the country,” he ruled, giving the green light for Interpol to swoop in.
