Court summons Ssemakadde over remarks against DPP Justice Abodo

The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road has issued criminal summons requiring Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Isaac Ssemakadde, to appear on January 29, 2025, to answer charges of insulting the modesty of Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The summons arose from an application by advocates Joshua Byamazima and Tonny Tumukunde, who initiated private prosecution under Section 42(1)(c) and (3) of the Magistrates Courts Act.

The complainants accuse Ssemakadde of indecent assault under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

“This honorable court finds a prima facie case against Mr. Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde for the offence of insulting the modesty of a woman,” the magistrate said, sanctioning the charge and ordering Ssemakadde’s appearance to take a plea.

The complainants allege that Ssemakadde’s remarks against Justice Abodo constitute a serious violation of ethical conduct, warranting accountability.

Their affidavit describes his actions as “indecent assault against the person of Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.”

On November 22, 2024, Byamazima and Tumukunde filed a complaint alleging that Ssemakadde insulted the DPP during a symposium organized by the People’s Freedom Front (PFF) on November 18, 2024, at Katonga Road in Kampala. They accuse him of making derogatory remarks, including:

“All these things like your particular kerfuffle is then given legal dressing by this vagina from Karamoja.”

Ssemakadde also reportedly referred to Justice Abodo as “a pumpkin for a DPP” and “dead wood.”

The complainants submitted a flash disk containing video evidence of the alleged utterances. The case was initially scheduled for hearing on December 4, 2024.

Through GEM Advocates, Ssemakadde filed an application seeking dismissal of the charges, arguing that the complaint and supporting affidavit lack merit.

He contends that the alleged offence is victim-centered, yet the complainants did not engage the purported victim, Justice Abodo.

“In the absence of testimony from Ms. Jane Frances Abodo, there is no reasonable and probable cause to believe the proposed offence was committed,” Ssemakadde stated in his application.

He further argued that the complaint was frivolous, vexatious, and an abuse of the court process, asserting that it infringes on his rights to freedom of opinion and expression.

Ssemakadde also dismissed the complainants as “cantankerous busybodies” meddling in matters outside their jurisdiction.

Since assuming office as ULS President in October 2024, Ssemakadde has stirred controversy with his radical reforms, including expelling Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and the Solicitor General from the ULS Council.

He also recalled ULS representatives from statutory bodies, citing illegal appointments.