The order follows an application filed by Mugisha Hashim Mugisha, who sought a declaration that Ssemakadde acted in contempt of court by publishing derogatory remarks on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), against Justice Musa Ssekaana and the court.
Mugisha argued that the respondent should be restrained from making further derogatory statements, arrested, detained in civil prison for contempt of court, and ordered to pay UGX 300 million in damages.
“Such serious and deliberate attacks clearly undermine the dignity and authority of this court, which cannot and must not be condoned,” Mugisha stated.
In his ruling, Justice Musa Ssekaana emphasized that contempt proceedings are between the court and the alleged contemnor, rather than a dispute between the applicant and the respondent. He stated that while the court was not bound by the specific orders sought by the applicant, it had found that the respondent had indeed acted in contempt of court.
“In determining the appropriate sanction, the court must consider that the objective of contempt proceedings is to protect public confidence in the administration of justice. This is done by punishing acts or statements that abuse or mock the judicial process or diminish the authority of judicial officers,” Justice Ssekaana ruled.
He further noted that the repeated nature of the attacks, especially coming from a legal professional and the elected President of the Uganda Law Society, warranted a strong warning. He cautioned other potential offenders against engaging in similar conduct in the future.
“The respondent should be arrested and imprisoned for a period of two years. I so order,” Justice Ssekaana ruled.
