By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kampala, Uganda – Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, also known as the “Legal Rebel,” has emerged victorious in the Uganda Law Society (ULS) presidential election held today.
Ssemakadde’s win comes amidst controversy surrounding his leadership capabilities and allegations of professional misconduct.
Critics describe him as “manipulative,” “arrogant,” and “belligerent,” citing concerns about his tenure as president of the Makerere Law Society (MLS) and allegations of examination malpractice at the Law Development Centre (LDC).
During his presidency at MLS, Ssemakadde faced criticism for his leadership style, which some described as “a one-man rule.”
Additionally, an incident involving an accountability report to the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) nearly led to Makerere University School of Law being blacklisted.
Ssemakadde’s campaign for ULS presidency has also raised concerns about the organization’s independence, with some lawyers suggesting that top politicians may be influencing the election.
However, Ssemakadde received a significant boost to his campaign when Retired Supreme Court Justice George Kanyeihamba publicly endorsed his candidacy. During a recent courtesy visit from Ssemakadde to Kanyeihamba’s home in Kampala, the retired justice expressed strong confidence in Ssemakadde’s leadership abilities.
“I am so happy that when the President-elect— I call him elect because I don’t think anybody can beat him— heard that I was not well, he made an effort, broke his campaign trail to come and see me,” Kanyeihamba remarked.
He expressed strong confidence in Ssemakadde’s candidacy, stating, “There is no one that can defeat Ssemakadde in the ULS presidential race.”
Kanyeihamba’s endorsement carries significant weight, given his illustrious career as a former cabinet minister, member of parliament, and chair of the Legal Committee of the Constituent Assembly that drafted Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
The Uganda Law Society has faced challenges in recent years, and Ssemakadde’s leadership will be closely watched.
As president, he will be responsible for promoting the interests of lawyers and upholding the rule of law in Uganda.