Uganda Law Society (ULS) president Isaac Ssemakadde has spoken out for the first time following a court order directing the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a Red Notice for his arrest.
The Senior Advocate and prominent human rights activist, who is currently “abroad on official duties”, dismissed the move as politically motivated and vowed to challenge it both locally and internationally.
In a statement issued on March 19, 2025, shortly after the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, HW Ronald Kayizzi issued the order, Ssemakadde described the arrest warrant as unjustified and a violation of his fundamental rights.
“I am challenging all arrest warrants issued against me, as they are unjustified and politically motivated. A petition is currently before the High Court, seeking cancellation of the orders issued by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Criminal Case No. 913 of 2024,” the Radical New Bar President declared.
Ssemakadde further insisted that the fresh warrant issued by the court contradicts legal proceedings already underway at the High Court, which is reviewing his challenge against the original warrant.
“As the High Court is aware of the revision proceedings, the warrant issued today by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court is unwarranted. This violates my right to freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and international law standards for issuing warrants,” he stated.
The ULS Chief added that his legal team has now set its sights on blocking the Red Notice to ensure that his name is not added to the agency’s wanted list. “My lawyers will engage Interpol’s Commission for the control of INTERPOL’s Files to remove any red notice against me from the Interpol system,” he declared.
Legal analysts have raised doubts about Interpol’s willingness to act on the Ugandan court’s request, given that Red Notices are generally reserved for serious criminal offenses such as terrorism, murder, or major financial crimes, rather than cases involving verbal insults.
The charges against Ssemakadde stem from a viral video recorded at a public symposium in Kampala on November 18, 2024, where he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo.
Lawyers Tony Tumukunde and Joshua Byamazima; who are privately prosecuting the case argue that his comments insulted the modesty of a woman, an offense under Section 115(3) of the Penal Code Act, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a fine upon conviction.
