@andrewirumbalive Contempt of court is only committed in court room, court premises or in written pleadings, not on X or Radio, when it goes to social media, you sue for defermation not contempt of court-Lawye4lr Godfrey Murungi Fort Portal. #andrewirumbalive #foryourpage #uls
By Jamila Kemigisa
Fort Portal-based lawyer Godfrey Murungi has openly criticized the two-year sentence handed down by Justice Musa Ssekaana to Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde for contempt of court. Murungi termed the sentence as “laughable” and expressed concerns that it could be part of a broader trend of judges using contempt of court charges to intimidate and harass individuals they perceive as adversaries, particularly advocates.
Murungi, who is also an advocate with Ngamije Consultants, emphasized that contempt of court should only apply within specific contexts, namely in a courtroom, court facility, or through one’s pleadings. He pointed out that the law does not clearly define contempt of court and does not prescribe specific sentences, which, in his view, makes it an inconsistent and potentially abused tool to punish those who challenge judicial authority.
According to Murungi, the purpose of contempt of court is to maintain discipline and ensure that judges and courts are respected. However, he believes the current application of the law has deviated from this objective, often being used to silence critics rather than address actual disruption of court proceedings.
Murungi questioned the appropriateness of using contempt charges for actions carried out outside of the courtroom, specifically in the case of Mr. Isaac Ssemakadde, who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Judge Ssekaana on social media platform X. He argued that the offense in question was committed online, outside the jurisdiction of the court, making it more appropriate for a defamation case rather than contempt of court.
He also pointed out that, given the judge in question was the complainant in this case, it raised concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings, as Ssekaana could not serve as an impartial judge in his own case. Murungi argued that this situation was indicative of a larger issue, with judges and former officials using the contempt law not to maintain discipline but to “cripple the work” of advocates and silence those who challenge judicial authority.
Furthermore, Murungi criticized the emotional reactions exhibited by judges in such cases, urging them to maintain a more measured and non-sentimental approach when handling legal matters. He believes that judges should not allow personal grievances or emotions to influence their judicial decisions.
In light of these concerns, Murungi called for a revision of the Constitution, suggesting that contempt of court should be explicitly defined and included in Uganda’s penal laws. He believes that this would help provide clarity on the offense, its scope, and appropriate penalties, preventing its misuse and ensuring that it serves its intended purpose of maintaining respect for the judiciary.
Watch Murungi Below
@andrewirumbalive Contempt of court is only committed in court room, court premises or in written pleadings, not on X or Radio, when it goes to social media, you sue for defermation not contempt of court-Lawye4lr Godfrey Murungi Fort Portal. #andrewirumbalive #foryourpage #uls
