Justice Musa Ssekaana of the High Court has sentenced Uganda Law Society president, Isaac Ssemakadde to a two year imprisonment for using social media to abuse him
One Mugisha Hashim Mugisha ran to court last year seeking a declaration that Ssemakadde acted and continued to act in contempt of court by publishing derogatory remarks and sentiments on his social media handles X [formerly twitter] against Justice Ssekaana.
In his ruling, Justice Ssekaana said what Ssemakadde did was wrong.
“The judiciary and court specifically must fight for its space and protect its authority from attacks by any such litigant or person who scandalizes it like the respondent and his ilk or followers or alleged ‘foot soldiers’ who have specialized at attacking judicial officers,” the judge said.
“Therefore, proceedings for contempt serve a valuable function here in preventing the manipulation of public opinion in relation to the judiciary and the administration of justice by persons like the respondent – motivated persons or cynically – minded members of the public or social influencers like the respondent who are always on the social media to get likes and comments or make content.”
He said Ssemakadde has made several tweets on the social media and reckless letters targeting the judicial system and this has a direct effect of obstruction of justice by scandalizing the judicial officers.
“Violence, intimidation and defiance directed at judicial officers because of their work undermine the country’s democracy and rule of law and are wholly unacceptable.”
“The courts ought to deter future attacks on the judiciary by early preventive action.”
The judge said the repeated nature of the attacks by a person knowledgeable in legal matters and duly elected as president of Uganda Law Society invites this court to send a strong warning and caution against future contemnors ‘foot soldiers’ and respondents in the main cause to desist from such conduct in future.
“ The respondent should be arrested and imprisoned for a period of two (2) years. The costs shall be in the cause.”
