Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has defended the organisation’s track record, rejecting claims that lawyers are inactive and instead accusing state agencies of ignoring court processes in key legal battles.
In a detailed statement, Ssemakadde said the ULS has been actively pursuing cases through the courts, pointing to the ongoing dispute over the Lubigi wetland demolitions as evidence. He revealed that ULS lawyers moved to court before enforcement actions began.
“We took Lubigi to court before the bulldozers came,” Ssemakadde said. “On May 13, ULS lawyers served NEMA with court documents. A hearing was set for June 16, and we asked for a stay of execution.”
According to him, despite being served, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) proceeded with demolitions on May 28. He questioned the conduct of state agencies in relation to judicial authority.
“NEMA received those papers. Then they defied them. They brought graders on May 28 anyway,” he said. “The question is not what ULS did. The question is: why does the State ignore its own courts?”
Ssemakadde also addressed his absence from the country, confirming that he is in exile following a conviction in absentia earlier this year.
He linked the development to his stance on judicial accountability.
“I am in exile because I acted,” he said. “I was convicted and sentenced in absentia for ‘scandalising the judiciary.’ My crime was refusing to apologise for demanding accountability.”
He maintained that legal action should not be judged solely by public demonstrations, noting that much of the work is carried out through formal court processes.
“Action is not only street protests,” Ssemakadde said. “While others shout, we file. We serve. We appeal. We document. We name. We are in multiple courts challenging illegal evictions and abuse of legal processes.”
At the same time, he acknowledged growing public frustration and calls for more visible action, saying such concerns are valid.
“You are right to demand action. You are right to be angry. Talk without results is noise,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ssemakadde outlined specific steps the ULS intends to take, including seeking compensation and contempt orders against NEMA during the June 16 hearing.
“By June 16, we will be in court for Lubigi. We will seek an order for immediate compensation and sanctions against NEMA for contempt,” he said.
He also pledged that within 30 days, the ULS will publish a public docket naming state actors involved in demolitions conducted without court orders since January 2025.
In addition, he called on Ugandan lawyers to join a pro bono legal network to support affected families.
“I am calling on every Ugandan lawyer in practice or in exile to join a coordinated pro bono legal defence network,” he said. “No fees. No excuses.”
Despite security concerns, Ssemakadde insisted he remains committed to legal advocacy and the rule of law.