High court in Kampala, has sentenced the controversial Uganda Law Society President, Isaac Ssemakadde Kimazze to two years Imprisonment for using derogatory language against Justice Musa Ssekaana and the courts of Judicature.
In the matter which was heard by Justice Ssekaana, court ruled that this was not the first time , Ssemakadde was engaging in such characters , but he had done it on several occasions and thus required to be given a deterrent sentence.
“”As such the court is not bound
by the orders sought by the applicant, but this court has found the respondent acted in contempt of court. In determining the appropriate sanction, the Court should consider that the objective of the contempt of court proceedings is to protect the public interest or confidence in the due administration of justice.” Ruled Ssekaana on Friday
On several engagements, Ssemakadde has been at logger head with Judicial officers especially the Chief Justice and Justice Musa Ssekaana.
During the New Law Year event Ssemakadde was blocked from delivering the speech at the ceremony and he was advised to apologize to the Judicial officers he had attacked in some of his speeches.
Background
Hashim Mugisha the petitioner, brought the application under section 37 of the Judicature
Act, section 64 (e) and 98 of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 52 rules 1, 2 and 3 of the Civil Procedure Act seeking a declaration that the Ssemakadde acted and continues to act in
contempt of court by publishing derogatory remarks and sentiments
on his social media handles X [formerly twitter] against the person of the trial Judge, Honourable Justice Musa Ssekaana and the court.
He prayed for an order directing the respondent to immediately stop all the publications and release of derogatory remarks against Honourable Musa Ssekaana and the court.
An order that the respondent be arrested and detained in civil prison
for contempt and an order directing the respondent to pay UGX 300,000,000/= as fines
to court wanton and/or illegal behavior/actions.
He also asked court to issue
other sanctions as this court may deem fit be placed upon
the respondent until he purges the contempt.