Isaac Ssemakadde, the embattled president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), is now a fugitive—hunted by Interpol’s red notice after Judge Musa Ssekaana slapped him with a two-year jail sentence for contempt.
The crime? Calling out the judge’s decision to block a crucial lawyers’ meeting.
But now, an unlikely mediator has entered the fray: Justice Minister Norbert Mao.
Mao’s “Boil Theory” of Conflict Resolution
In a tense meeting at the ULS headquarters, Mao dropped a bizarre but telling analogy:
“Conflict is like a boil. Squeeze it too soon, and you spread the infection.”
His point? This legal feud needed time to fester before intervention. Now, he’s offering backchannel diplomacy—but with a catch:
- Judge Ssekaana & DPP Abodo are reportedly open to talks.
- Ssemakadde? Still in the wind. Mao admits: “I haven’t spoken to him yet.”
- The real tension: This isn’t just about contempt—it’s about who controls judicial appointments.
Related: Buganda Road Court Issues Arrest Warrant for ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde
Why This Fight Goes Deeper Than One Lawyer
The trigger was Ssemakadde’s push for an Extraordinary General Meeting to elect new Judicial Service Commission reps—a move Ssekaana blocked, sparking fury.
But the pattern is clear:
- 2022: Lawyer Male Mabirizi jailed for 18 months by the same judge.
- 2024: Ssemakadde flees after a two-year sentence.
- The unspoken question: Is this about contempt—or silencing dissent?
Can Mao Really Fix This?
The minister is playing peacemaker, but the stakes are high:
- If Ssemakadde returns, does he walk free—or straight to Luzira?
- If the red notice stands, Uganda’s legal fraternity loses its leader in exile.
- And lurking in the background: Judicial independence vs. lawyers’ defiance.
Related: Mao’s PA Requests Transfer Over Minister’s Unscripted Criticisms of Government
What Happens Next?
Mao’s mediation is underway, but with no Ssemakadde at the table, it’s a shaky start. Meanwhile, the legal community watches—waiting to see if this ends in reconciliation or another courtroom explosion.
