Ssemakadde demands Supreme Court reform in open letter to Chief Justice
Ssemakadde criticized the Supreme Court’s issuance of injunctions that override Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judgments, describing them as dangerous precedents.
Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has called on Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo to address the slow case disposal rate at the Supreme Court, warning that delays are eroding public trust in the judiciary.
In an open letter dated November 29, 2024, Ssemakadde expressed alarm over the Supreme Court’s inefficiency, noting that no constitutional appeal judgments have been delivered in four years.
“According to the Judiciary’s Annual Performance Report, the Supreme Court’s clearance rate was just 8% in 2023 and 10% in 2024. This judicial crisis threatens to unravel the very fabric of the rule of law in Uganda,” he wrote.
Ssemakadde criticized the Supreme Court’s issuance of injunctions that override Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judgments, describing them as dangerous precedents.
He argued that these actions undermine judicial independence by prioritizing government interests over constitutional principles and citizens’ rights.
“The longer these obnoxious injunctions remain, the more our legal system loses credibility,” Ssemakadde warned, highlighting the prolonged delay in the Supreme Court’s ruling on prosecuting civilians in military tribunals as a glaring example of institutional dysfunction.
Addressing the Chief Justice directly, Ssemakadde urged him to take responsibility for restoring justice. “This is not just a concern but a challenge for you to be the catalyst for systemic transformation in our judiciary,” he stated.
The letter follows a private luncheon last month between the ULS President and the Chief Justice, which sparked criticism from some ULS members who questioned the transparency of their discussions.
Maverick lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi also voiced discontent, accusing Ssemakadde of compromising accountability by holding closed-door meetings.
Ssemakadde’s letter underscores growing frustrations over judicial delays, particularly at the Supreme Court, and calls for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in Uganda’s justice system.
