My ‘BAR’ friend, counsel Ivan (not real name) has for the last decade or so fascinated me with the old adage thus; “there is no stupid lawyer,” to which we both, often approved every time he opened his mouth and put it out… In an unusual order of the day, something that no one could have predicted, or perhaps, only a select few with the keenest insight – Saturday, September 28th 2024, went down in history as the day the Uganda Law Society (ULS) got a leader that defied all expectations.
Isaac Semakadde, a man once described as the ‘Morgan Freeman look-alike’ with unruly hair and combat boots, stormed the presidency of the ULS in a landslide victory. This election was nothing short of a referendum on justice, integrity, and rebellion against the status quo. Semakadde’s journey to the top wasn’t just a race; it was a revolution – a phenomenon that captivated not just his fellow lawyers, but the public at large. His victory, clinched at the lush Speke Resort Munyonyo amidst a crowd of over 5,000 legal professionals, sent shockwaves through the legal community. Many had dismissed him as too radical, too unconventional, and too much of a ‘legal rebel’ to ever lead such an esteemed organization.
But on this `fateful` Saturday, the legal fraternity banged the table – literally and metaphorically, and declared their allegiance to the man who had shaken their comfortable traditions to the core. Timothy Kalyegira, a respected journalist-turned lawyer, prophetically tweeted on X thus; “Even if he loses the vote, Semakadde will become the best-known lawyer in Uganda.” Little did he know, his words would ring with an eerie foresight.
The Election Unfolds
Semakadde’s closest challenger, Isaac Atukunda, may have brought decorum, but it was the fierce, unpolished passion of Semakadde that resonated with voters. His unyielding criticism of what he called “the society’s complicity with state interests” struck a chord with the rank-and-file advocates who felt that ULS had strayed from its mission.
The legal community was starkly divided. Some supported Semakadde out of shared ideology; others saw him as a necessary disruptor. Justice Professor Dr. George W. Kanyeihamba, a retired Supreme Court Judge and one of the most respected legal minds in Uganda, endorsed Semakadde before a single ballot was cast. His words were unequivocal: “Semakadde’s leadership will bring ULS back to its roots, advancing not only the legal profession but also the rule of law itself.”
From Rebel to Ruler
Semakadde’s victory speech? As unpredictable as the man himself. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he declared, “First they laugh at you, then they ignore you, then they fight you, then you win.” It was a jab at his detractors, but also a rallying cry for the new dawn he promised to usher in. No one was more stunned than Semakadde himself. Even his loyal supporters, a mix of seasoned advocates and fresh-faced attorneys, had never seen such a landslide win at every polling station. The man who wore dreadlocks and donned combat boots with a long coat, was now at the pinnacle of Uganda’s legal community.
The Brain and the ‘Idiots’ Behind the Vote
Semakadde’s appeal wasn’t confined to intellectuals alone. The campaign had a peculiar mix of backers, from academic giants like Hon. Dr. Mukasa Fred Mbidde, to ordinary boda-boda riders who admired Semakadde`s boldness. One such rider, who, like many Ugandans, had surprisingly become invested in the ULS election, remarked, “Even if he has dreads, Semakadde can be a good president.” Dr. Mbidde, never one to shy away from dramatic language, declared hours before the vote: “Our campaign is a true revolt…against deceitful decorum.” He praised Semakadde’s “dexterity and stoicism,” words that seemed to capture the essence of the new ULS president’s campaign.
The ULS in Flux
For far too long, critics claimed, ULS had become a vehicle for state interests, more concerned with maintaining the status quo than advocating for lawyers and justice. Under Semakadde, many believe that the society will finally prioritize the needs of its members and defend the integrity of the law. “Semakadde represents the law and equity, and his leadership will bring inclusivity and fairness to the society,” one voter remarked. And indeed, this is a man who promises to disrupt not just the legal profession, but also the very fabric of Ugandan governance.
Looking Ahead
Semakadde’s rise to the ULS presidency is a signal of changing times. He has vowed to return the society to its roots of public service, advocacy for lawyers’ rights, and an unflinching commitment to the rule of law. But his critics remain vocal. For every lawyer cheering on this legal rebel, there are others questioning whether his unorthodox style will ultimately strengthen or weaken the profession.
As the dust settles and the champagne bottles pop, one thing is certain. Isaac Semakadde has made the ULS relevant again, not just to lawyers but to the Ugandan public at large. From retired judges to boda-boda riders, everyone now knows that Semakadde and his #BangTheTable campaign have changed the legal landscape of Uganda forever. So, Ladies and Gentleman, Isaac Semakadde is the President Uganda Law Society! Thank you so much advocates for banging the table. It was such a landslide victory seeing him win all polling stations.
Farfetched, Semakadde could himself not believe his learned friends’ choice of a man his character, demeanor and pickup style. The same he contended; were the rare character his voters saw in him. Whether you see him as a messiah or a maverick, one fact remains undeniable – Isaac Semakadde is no ordinary president – and there is certainly “no stupid lawyer.”
How They Voted
Polling station E
Semakadde -246
Atukunda-104
Polling station G
Atukunda – 116.
Semakadde – 338
Polling Station B
Semakadde – 268
Atukunda – 126
Invalid – 5
Polling station C
Atukunda – 102
Semakadde – 225
Invalid – 6
Polling station H
Semakadde 154
Atukunda 92
Invalid 1
Polling station One
Semakadde 155
Atukunda- 92
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