By Tensions flared at the Court of Appeal on Thursday as members of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) turned up in large numbers to protest the sudden removal of key appeals from the court’s cause list, including a case challenging the conviction and two-year prison sentence of their president, Isaac Ssemakadde.
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ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe expressed frustration over what he described as irregular and unexplained actions by the Court Registrar, who allegedly removed the appeals from the hearing schedule just days after official hearing notices had been issued.
“We were surprised when we received a letter cancelling the hearing on grounds that our matters were mislisted,” Asiimwe told journalists outside court. “This is after we had already received confirmation that our cases were scheduled for hearing today at 10 a.m. before a panel of judges.”
Among the cases affected is the appeal filed by Ssemakadde, who was sentenced earlier this year for allegedly insulting the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Ssemakadde has since fled the country, with reports indicating he left Uganda soon after learning of the prison sentence.
Asiimwe said the legal team had complied with all procedural requirements and submitted their appeal documents in time. “We even wrote to the court administrator to seek clarification and guidance, only to be told later that our cases were ‘erroneously listed,’” he said.
The legal fraternity is also disturbed by conflicting explanations. According to Asiimwe, while the registrar cited procedural issues, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera claimed that cases filed in 2025 were too new to be heard ahead of older cases pending for over a decade.
“Our concern is not just with procedure. These are constitutional matters that affect governance and national institutions,” Asiimwe said, noting that the delayed hearing has affected representation on key bodies like the Public Service Commission.
“We believe our matters were handled unjustly and arbitrarily. Justice cannot move backwards,” he added.
The Uganda Law Society is now seeking urgent clarification from the Deputy Chief Justice and has pledged to pursue all legal remedies to ensure that justice is served and court processes remain transparent and fair.
