Maverick ,”rebel” lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde, is now the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), and in his victory speech quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “First they laugh at you, then they ignore you, then they fight you, then you win.”
The human rights lawyer, known for his outspoken stance on justice and the rule of law, celebrated his win as a triumph for the entire legal fraternity.
Semakadde thanked the ULS members for their support and confidence, noting that his victory was their victory too as a legal fraternity that they should work collectively to champion legal and social justice, human rights, and legal reforms.
“This is not just a victory for me; it is a victory for every lawyer in Uganda who seeks a brighter future for our profession and our country,” he stated.
He promised integrity and transparency, vowing to address the concerns of his colleagues and advance the core values of the ULS, including upholding the rule of law and promoting inclusivity among others.
Before he ended his speech he took swipe at out going ULS President Oundo thus: ““These people told me they brought problems to you and you were a sissy, that’s your legacy.”
Ssemakadde who in his mid 30S ND has been in legal practice for ten years is one of the youngest presidents ULS has had in recent times.
Profile:
Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde was born in Masaka District to a business family who particularly conducted business in Kikuubo, Kampala city.
He attended Bright Grammar School, in Masaka District from where he obtained his Primary Leaving Examination (PLE). Ssemakadde passed PLE with top grades thereby winning a scholarship at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) from where he attained his O’&A certificates.
Thereafter, Ssemakadde joined Makerere University on a government scholarship, after obtaining top grades in Senior Six and graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Law.
And during his time at Makerere University, he served as the President Makerere University Law Society.
Ssemakadde is described as a legal rebel and with his dreaded hairstyle; many have drowned criticisms at him. His mission is to change the world from layman misconceptions and common nomenclature.
Ssemakadde points out that they are trying to reinvent the law, their own way via humble means as humanely as possible. He tells fashion is in his blood, something he cannot live without, he loves all about fashion and is so passionate about it.
Defending his stand on fashion, Ssemakadde says he will not let time pass him by, because he’s still young with a right to do some experimental fashion procedures.
However, he asserts that he tries to be good at whatever he does because he represents the voices of the unheard people in society.
Ssemakadde began his career at Bowmans (A.F Mpanga Advocates), one of the most reputable law firms in the country.
Thereafter, Ssemakadde co-founded Legal Brains Trust with a colleague while studying at the Law Development Centre (LDC).
Legal Brains Trust which is sometimes referred to as The Shrine, Ark and The Last Chance Saloon is a universal firm that handles any type of case regardless. It doesn’t lock out a certain calibre of people; it’s just open to everybody.
Ssemakadde defended Stella Nyanzi after being charged with cyber harassment and offensive communication against President Museveni, the President of Uganda and his wife, the First Lady of Uganda Janet Kataha Museveni in a Facebook post.
This case was politically and socially risky but Semakadde took it up because it is his interest and obligation to defend society. He is very much interested in democracy, human rights, fairness, freedom, equality, progress, unity and the rule of law.
Ssemakadde who specialized in commercial law, strategic litigation, consumer law, human rights and research, says committed public interest attorneys Prof. Joe Oloka Onyango and Sylvia Tamale shaped his world views and post-university experience.
Family
Isaac Ssemakaddeis not married but has children.
Leisure Time
Isaac Ssemakadde spends his free time listening to music. His favourite musicians are; the late Paulo Kafeero and Ahawn Mendes.
He loves spending time playing with his son, as well as making new friends. He loves reading books as well.
