Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Isaac Ssemakadde, has officially responded to the serious claims made against him by twin sisters Cynthia Nakato and Yvonne Babirye, who previously worked closely with him during and after his ULS presidential campaign.
In their lengthy joint statement, the twins allege emotional manipulation, verbal abuse, and exploitation by Ssemakadde under the guise of professional collaboration.
They detail their involvement in various projects under his leadership and recount multiple troubling encounters, including unmet contractual promises, suggestive remarks, and being subjected to demeaning insults.
However, in a brief but pointed statement, Ssemakadde chose not to directly address the detailed claims but instead dismissed the controversy as a private issue.
“To Cynthia Nakato and Yvonne Babirye, I extend my sympathy for your predicament. However, this is a private matter within my household,” Ssemakadde stated. “I urge all concerned people, particularly those armchair feminists and self-appointed guardians of morality, to leave my household alone. I don’t intend to make public what is quintessentially private. There will be no further communication on this subject from me, unless the government is involved.”
His response has since sparked fresh debate, with some observers criticizing the tone of his statement and others defending his right to privacy.
The twin sisters had shared their account under the banner “Our Experience with the ULS President”, narrating a progression from professional collaboration to what they described as a deeply toxic personal entanglement. They claim that Ssemakadde promised them significant roles in his post-election strategy, even verbally assigning them leadership titles and offering salary discussions which were never formalized.
Among their grievances, they allege emotional manipulation, lack of transparency, and eventual verbal abuse. Yvonne Babirye’s statement included excerpts of a conversation where she claims Ssemakadde used degrading language and threatened her with eviction after she had temporarily moved into his apartment.
While public reaction remains divided, Ssemakadde’s statement signals a firm refusal to litigate the matter in the court of public opinion. Whether further legal or organizational action will be taken remains to be seen.
