The President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Mr. Isaac Ssemakadde, has been summoned to appear in court on January 29, 2025, following accusations of insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo. The summons were issued by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala after a preliminary hearing found sufficient grounds for the case.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi stated that referring to a woman in derogatory terms in public, especially when aware of media presence, is intended to insult her dignity. The remarks allegedly made by Mr. Ssemakadde, including calling the DPP derogatory names such as “v***na from Karamoja” and “a dimwit,” were deemed insulting.
The court heard that these comments were made at a public event on November 18, 2024, in the presence of witnesses and media, and were confirmed by a letter from the Local Council Chairperson. Video evidence identified Mr. Ssemakadde as the individual making the remarks, and his legal team did not dispute the claim when the case was first presented in December 2024.
While the defense argued that the case should not proceed without a formal complaint from the DPP, the court ruled that anyone with reasonable cause can bring forward such a complaint, regardless of whether the victim is involved directly. The charges are based on Section 115 (3) of the Penal Code Act, which addresses the insult of a woman’s modesty.
As a result, Ssemakadde will be required to appear in court on January 29 to face charges of indecently assaulting the DPP. The case was initiated by two private lawyers, Mr. Tonny Tumukunde and Mr. Joshua Byamazima, who filed the complaint earlier in 2024.
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