Ugandans have raised more than Shs 30 million in a rapid fundraising drive to save Dr Spire Sentongo from a three-month jail term over contempt of court.
The campaign, launched by journalist and lawyer Agatha Atuhairwe, drew swift public support, hitting the target in less than 20 hours as contributors rallied to help Sentongo meet court-imposed penalties.
The legal dispute stems from a case filed last year by Kampala International University (KIU), which sought an injunction to restrain Sentongo from publishing content it described as defamatory and harmful to its reputation.
KIU argued that Sentongo had continued to post and circulate information on print and social media platforms in defiance of earlier court orders, actions the university said amounted to contempt of court.
In a ruling delivered in June 2026, High court registrar Kintu Simon Zirintusa found Sentongo in contempt and ordered him to pay a fine of Shs 10 million within 14 days or face a three-month civil prison sentence.
The court further directed Sentongo to pay Shs 20 million to KIU as punitive and exemplary damages arising from what it described as continued violation of court orders.
“Spire is ordered to pay Shs 20 million to KIU as punitive and/or exemplary damages as a result of his continued violation of the court order,” the ruling reads in part.
Faced with the financial burden, well-wishers mobilised quickly, with Atuhairwe spearheading an online fundraising campaign to support Sentongo.
The response was immediate, with supporters surpassing the required amount within hours—an indication of the public interest the case has generated, particularly around issues of free expression and compliance with court directives.
The development now effectively shields Sentongo from imprisonment, pending settlement of the court-ordered payments.
