By The one-year tenure of Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde is set to expire in two weeks, with elections expected to take place around 27 September 2025 in accordance with the ULS Act.
Ssemakadde, a prominent human rights lawyer, was elected on 28 September 2024 but has spent much of his term in exile, citing threats to his life and political persecution. Despite leading the Society from outside the country, he has remained vocal on matters of governance, judicial independence, and the rule of law.
The Uganda Law Society Act provides that the president and council members serve strictly for one year, after which fresh elections must be conducted. While it has become common practice for sitting presidents to seek re-election—often unopposed—the law requires a democratic process to either confirm or reject their leadership.
Ssemakadde’s tenure has been one of the most controversial in recent years. His combative style and sharp criticism of state institutions won him admiration among reformist lawyers but also attracted hostility from government officials and security agencies. His decision to continue steering the Society while abroad drew mixed reactions from members, with some praising his resilience and others questioning his accessibility.
As his mandate winds down, focus now shifts to whether Ssemakadde will return to Uganda to seek a second term, and how the Society will navigate a leadership transition amid heightened scrutiny of its role in championing justice and democracy.
