The High Court has dismissed Ssemakadde’s application to stay or suspend his 2-year prison sentence for contempt of court. Justice Joyce Kavuma ruled that the court no longer has jurisdiction to alter its own judgment, and any challenge to the sentence can only be made before the Court of Appeal.
Ssemakadde was sentenced to prison in relation to a dispute over an extraordinary meeting of the ULS executive board. The court found that he had defied a court order and ridiculed the court through letters and social media posts.
The ULS president’s lawyer, Peter Walubiri, had argued that the sentence was illegal, arbitrary, and excessive. However, Justice Kavuma disagreed, stating that criminal contempt proceedings are distinct from ordinary criminal trials and do not require a charge sheet or plea-taking process.
Ssemakadde, who is currently believed to be living in Germany after seeking asylum, will have to appeal the sentence before the Court of Appeal.
Story By: Amon Muzoora Official
