ULS Kimaze blasts judge over exile delay

Uganda Law Society president Isaac Ssemakadde asked High Court judge Joyce Kavuma to remove herself from his case. Ssemakadde lives outside Uganda after another judge sentenced him to two years jail for insulting the court. He filed papers asking to stop his arrest warrant during February but the court keeps delaying hearings. Kavuma postponed the matter until August which means Ssemakadde cannot return home. The lawyer says these delays violate his rights and force him to stay away from family.

Judge Musa Ssekaana gave Ssemakadde the prison sentence because of social media posts criticizing court decisions. Ssemakadde accused Ssekaana of being unfair and abusing power during civil rights cases. The posts appeared during 2022 and 2023 when several controversial rulings happened. Ssekaana said the comments damaged court authority and deserved punishment. Ssemakadde refuses to surrender and argues the sentence breaks constitutional rules.

Ssemakadde moved to Germany after the ruling and fears arrest if he returns to Uganda. His lawyer job suffers because he misses important meetings and family events. Two other lawyers also filed separate criminal charges against Ssemakadde for insulting the prosecutor. Legal experts criticize the harsh punishment and worry it stops lawyers from speaking against unfair court decisions.