ULS chief Ssemakadde declines Owiny-Dollo appointment

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Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Ssemakadde has declined the appointment by the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo to sit on the Law Reform Committee.

Ssemakadde snubbed the offer, reasoning that Owiny-Dollo is yet to respond to critical issues that affect the Judiciary, which he previously raised.

“I am compelled to reject this appointment, though seemingly beneficial due to your provocation of justice Musa Ssekaana’s judicial misconduct, which now hinders my participation in the Law Reform Committee. Specifically, his unlawful contempt of court committal order against me on February 14, 2025, allegedly for insulting him on X (formerly Twitter),” Ssemakadde said.

In a letter dated June 17, 2025, addressed to the Chief Justice, Ssemakadde insists that the order that has been pending expungement for too long was void, forcing him indefinitely into exile and raising serious concerns about the Ugandan Judiciary’s credibility, fairness and efficiency under his [Owiny-Dollo’s] watch.

Guided by the United Nations (UN) basic principles on the independence of the Judiciary and that of the Commonwealth, Ssemakadde recommended that the Law Reform Committee reviews the law of contempt of court because it relates to insults made while out of court.

He said the colonial-era law has become a blunt instrument of judicial tyranny that unjustly restricts freedom of expression, a fundamental right in a free and democratic society.

The ULS chief observed that in a nascent 21st century constitutional democracy, where corruption and bribery are rampant, even public criticism of judicial performance is often construed as insults, must be jealously safeguarded to ensure accountability.

Ssemakadde purports that under Owiny-Dollo’s leadership, the Ugandan Judiciary is crippled by corruption and egos, hence dedicating itself to criticism and insults.

The ULS chief instead designated his vice-president, Anthony Asiimwe, to represent ULS in the Judiciary Council and all its committees. He also recommended his appointment to the Law Reform Committee.