Uganda Law Society: Judicial Embargo Halts Cases, President Exiled

• The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is currently under a judicial embargo, halting its legal cases and impacting its leadership.
• ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde SC is convicted, exiled, and unable to perform his duties due to an un-heard appeal against a contempt conviction.
• The embargo, initiated by a Deputy Chief Justice directive on July 7, 2025, removed critical ULS cases from the Court of Appeal cause-list.
• Affected cases include challenges to ULS council meeting nullifications, the method of electing Judicial Service Commission nominees, and Ssemakadde's contempt conviction.
• The ULS Vice President stated that the embargo was solicited by certain members of the Bar, further complicating the internal dynamics of the legal profession.

The ongoing judicial embargo has rendered the Uganda Law Society largely dysfunctional, preventing its leadership from fulfilling constitutional duties and representing its members effectively.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is currently operating under a significant judicial embargo, which has effectively halted its legal proceedings and impacted its leadership. This situation was highlighted by Hon. Asiimwe Anthony, the ULS Vice President, during a legal training session in Fort Portal City on November 3, 2026. The Vice President, speaking in place of the ULS President, Isaac K. Ssemakadde SC, detailed how Ssemakadde is currently convicted, exiled, and facing persecution, preventing him from fulfilling his duties.

According to Asiimwe, the conflict escalated on February 7, 2025, during the Opening of the New Law Year, when the former Chief Justice publicly declared the ULS and its current leadership as "out of bounds." This declaration was made despite prior discussions between the ULS and the Chief Justice's office aimed at establishing a framework for dialogue on issues affecting Bar-Bench relations. A direct consequence of this stance was the denial of a speaking slot for the ULS President at a crucial Bar-Bench event.

The most impactful measure, described as an embargo, was issued on July 7, 2025, by the former Deputy Chief Justice. This directive specifically targeted all litigation involving the ULS and its current leadership, leading to the indefinite removal of their cases from the Court of Appeal cause-list. This action, which the Vice President stated was solicited by certain members of the Bar, has placed the Uganda Law Society under siege, severely limiting its operational capacity and legal recourse.

Several critical legal matters involving the Uganda Law Society and its leadership have been directly impacted by this judicial embargo. Among the cases removed from the Court of Appeal's cause-list on July 10, 2025, before Justice Egonda-Ntende’s panel, was Civil Appeal No. 98 of 2025, titled ULS v. Mugisha Hashim. This appeal, known as the 'quorum case,' challenges an earlier ruling by then-Judge Musa Ssekaana that nullified ULS Council meetings, thereby creating internal dysfunction and a division within the legal body. A central issue in this case is the expulsion of the Attorney General and Solicitor General from the ULS Council.

Another significant case affected is Civil Appeal No. 99 of 2025, ULS v. Pheona Wall, referred to as the 'JSC case.' This matter concerns a ruling that invalidated the method by which the ULS elects its nominees to the 7th Judicial Service Commission. The inability to hear this appeal raises questions about who ultimately controls the appointment of judges if the ULS is prevented from performing this constitutional duty in a timely manner.

Perhaps the most egregious case, Civil Appeal No. 102 of 2025, Ssemakadde v. Mugisha Hashim, is an appeal against a contempt conviction for "scandalizing the judiciary." The indefinite delay in hearing this appeal directly contributes to ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde's continued exile. As long as this appeal remains unheard, Ssemakadde cannot attend Law Council meetings, where the chairperson requires his physical presence, nor can he effectively represent the ULS membership. Additionally, Petition 16 of 2024, which challenges Sections 4 and 9 of the ULS Act, remains stalled in the Constitutional Court, further illustrating the breadth of the judicial actions against the society.

The ongoing judicial embargo has rendered the Uganda Law Society largely dysfunctional, preventing its leadership from fulfilling constitutional duties and representing its members effectively. The Vice President emphasized that the inability of President Ssemakadde to participate in the Law Council, due to the requirement for his physical presence and his status of exile, has a crippling effect on the society's operations. This situation forces members to consider their stance on the independence of the Bar versus alignment with establishment views, particularly regarding the composition of the ULS Council.

The broader implications extend to the integrity of judicial appointments and the independence of the legal profession in Uganda. The ULS's inability to challenge rulings concerning its internal governance and its role in nominating Judicial Service Commission members suggests a significant power struggle within the legal system. The Vice President's remarks underscored the severity of the situation, portraying it as a direct assault on the ULS's autonomy and its capacity to advocate for its members and uphold the rule of law.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Uganda should be aware of the ongoing judicial embargo on Uganda Law Society cases and the legal challenges facing its leadership. This situation could lead to significant procedural delays or impact the impartiality of proceedings involving the ULS, potentially affecting legal strategy and client representation in related matters.

Source: Original reporting via ULS Vice President's remarks