Isaac Ssemakadde: Uganda Law Society President Speaks From Exile on Justice

• Isaac Ssemakadde, President of the Uganda Law Society, delivered a speech from exile on September 24, 2026, during the Second Sam Kalega Njuba Memorial Lecture.
• Ssemakadde stated that the Ugandan government, through its judiciary, compels leaders of the independent Bar to choose between imprisonment and exile.
• He argued that 'exile' in Uganda is a broader condition experienced by citizens due to a collapsed justice system and a lack of fundamental rights and security.
• Ssemakadde noted that other prominent figures, including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, former Supreme Court Justice Esther Kisaakye, and Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, also addressed the event from exile.
• He urged lawyers to actively combat a constitutional crisis, warning that a passive stance would entrench the Bar's captivity by the establishment.

For Ssemakadde, the concept of 'exile' transcends physical displacement, encompassing any 'site of struggle' that disrupts life, impedes professional growth, engenders loved ones, and erodes personal freedom.

Isaac Ssemakadde SC, serving as the President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), delivered a significant address on September 24, 2026, during the Second Sam Kalega Njuba Memorial Lecture. The event marked the conclusion of the Annual Rule of Law Week, which focused on the theme, “Rule of Law under the Shadow of Political Persecution.” Ssemakadde revealed that he was once again speaking to the attendees from exile, a situation he had hoped would change.

His remarks underscored a broader pattern, noting that other distinguished figures, including keynote speaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, former Member of Parliament and current Secretary General of the People's Front for Freedom, who also addressed the gathering from exile, chief guest former Supreme Court Justice Esther Kisaakye, who addressed the gathering from self-exile, and Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, also addressed the gathering from outside Uganda. Ssemakadde, who is also the Head of the Bar, highlighted that these individuals, like himself, have actively challenged injustice and now find themselves in similar circumstances of displacement. He shared personal reflections on exile, drawing insights from Njuba’s memoir, 'The Betrayal,' and the day's speeches, emphasizing that exile is not merely a location but a profound condition.

Ssemakadde articulated that the condition of exile extends beyond physical relocation, describing it as a state of discomfort, isolation, and fear, characterized by uncertainty about loved ones' safety and an inability to assist them in times of crisis. He provocatively questioned whether many Ugandans already live in such a state within their own country. He pointed to severe limitations in healthcare access, where even private care is compromised by a governmental failure to uphold standards, leaving citizens unsure of the quality of services received.

Furthermore, Ssemakadde asserted that the justice system in Uganda has collapsed, a claim he noted had been candidly exposed by Hon. Asuman Kiyingi. He argued that a country cannot be considered 'home' if its citizens lack fundamental rights, equal protection under the law, and security of livelihood. He suggested that an African might more readily find justice in Europe or America than in their native land. For Ssemakadde, the concept of 'exile' transcends physical displacement, encompassing any 'site of struggle' that disrupts life, impedes professional growth, endangers loved ones, and erodes personal freedom.

Ssemakadde contended that the government, operating through its judiciary, forces a stark choice upon the leadership of the independent Bar: imprisonment or exile. He highlighted that constitutional guarantees become meaningless when their enjoyment necessitates risking incarceration. This predicament, he noted, is not unprecedented, drawing a parallel to Sam Njuba, a former 'cool and diplomatic' president of the Uganda bar, as recalled by Hon. Miria Matembe, who has recently been remanded to Luzira Prison, who also endured imprisonment and subsequent exile due to his political views. Njuba, from exile, collaborated with others to dismantle the government responsible for his displacement.

Ssemakadde clarified that his own exile is not an individual plight but rather signifies 'the Bar in exile; it is Justice in exile and it is the Constitution in exile.' He maintained that a true 'home' cannot exist as long as these foundational elements are imperiled by political, military, or judicial officers. He issued a strong call to action for lawyers, urging them to spearhead efforts against an 'insidious constitutional crisis.' He warned against adopting a 'play it safe' approach, which he believes would only solidify the Bar's subjugation by the establishment. Ssemakadde observed that civically engaged Ugandans who remain within the country are often either imprisoned or missing, and alluded to an upcoming date, June 15th, suggesting further challenges for the legal community.

Source: Original reporting via event proceedings