Ugandans on X have rallied behind academic, satirical cartoonist and human rights advocate Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo after the High Court ordered him to pay Shs30 million or risk spending three months in civil prison.
The court order stems from Ssentongo’s ongoing legal dispute with Kampala International University (KIU) over social media posts concerning a tuition dispute involving the sons of his late brother.
The High Court found Ssentongo in contempt of a December 2025 order that had restricted him from publishing content deemed damaging to KIU’s reputation.
As part of the ruling, Ssentongo was ordered to pay Shs10 million as a fine and a further Shs20 million in punitive and exemplary damages, in addition to the legal costs incurred in the case.
Following the ruling, supporters and fellow Ugandans took to X to express solidarity with Ssentongo, with many questioning the court decision and highlighting his long-standing advocacy for human rights and social justice.
The development has since sparked renewed debate online about freedom of expression, contempt of court and the limits placed on social media commentary while legal disputes are ongoing.
