Makerere University lecturer, cartoonist and public commentator Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has been given a fresh 14-day window to pay Shs30 million in fines and damages awarded to Kampala International University (KIU), failure to which he risks serving three months in civil prison.
The Shs30 million comprises a Shs10 million contempt-of-court fine and Shs20 million in punitive and exemplary damages awarded to KIU.
The development follows the High Court Civil Division’s dismissal of Ssentongo’s application seeking to stay execution of the earlier order pending his appeal.
On August 6, 2026, Justice Bonny Isaac Teko rejected the application, ruling that Ssentongo had not demonstrated that he would suffer substantial loss that could not be remedied through restitution if his appeal succeeds.
The judge also held that granting a stay would undermine the proper administration of justice, adding that KIU’s right to enforce a valid court order outweighed the prejudice claimed by Ssentongo.
How the dispute started
The dispute dates back to late 2025 when KIU sued Ssentongo over social media posts in which he amplified complaints from students and staff concerning the university.
On December 17, 2025, the court issued an injunction restraining Ssentongo from publishing or circulating what it described as unsubstantiated information likely to injure KIU’s reputation.
However, on March 18, 2026, Ssentongo published a post concerning tuition payments of about Shs15.57 million made for two sons of his late brother.
He said the students had paid the fees in full but later transferred to other universities, claiming that KIU had neither transferred the money nor refunded it.
KIU subsequently returned to court, accusing Ssentongo of violating the injunction.
On June 18, 2026, High Court Registrar Kintu Simon Zirintusa found him in contempt of court.
The registrar ordered him to pay a Shs10 million fine within 14 days, failure of which he would face three months in civil prison. He was also ordered to pay Shs20 million in damages to KIU, together with costs of the application.
The court further stressed that filing an appeal does not, by itself, suspend execution of a court order and that a party seeking to halt execution must obtain a formal stay.
KIU had sought substantially higher penalties, including Shs1 billion in damages and a Shs200 million fine, but the court declined to grant the amounts sought.
Crowdfunding drive
The court battle has since triggered a public fundraising campaign for Ssentongo.
Journalist and activist Agather Atuhaire has been among those coordinating the crowdfunding effort, which has also received public backing from National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and other supporters.
By August 10, reports indicated that the campaign had raised about Shs30.25 million, slightly exceeding the Shs30 million contempt fine and damages.
Organisers have, however, continued to appeal for contributions, noting that the legal costs arising from the application have not yet been determined.
Supporters have described the fundraising campaign as an act of solidarity with Ssentongo and a stand against what they consider the misuse of court processes to silence public criticism and accountability.
The case has consequently renewed debate over the balance between enforcement of court orders, protection of institutional reputation and freedom of expression, particularly when individuals raise grievances involving public institutions.
Ssentongo maintains that his appeal against the underlying decision is still ongoing.
