Ugandans have launched a fundraising campaign to help academic and social commentator Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo meet a Shs30 million court order or risk being committed to civil prison over contempt of court.
The campaign, led by journalist Agather Atuhaire, gained momentum on Sunday after opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, called on Ugandans at home and abroad to support Ssentongo.
According to Kyagulanyi, Ssentongo has been ordered to pay a total of Shs30 million within 14 days or serve three months in prison following a court ruling arising from a social media post about Kampala International University (KIU).
“Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has spent years using his voice and talents to hold power accountable as his contribution towards a better society for us all,” Kyagulanyi said in a post on X.
He described the court order as an attempt to silence Ssentongo and urged Ugandans to “stand with Dr. Spire in whatever way we can” to help him resolve the matter.
Ssentongo, a lecturer, columnist, editorial cartoonist and governance activist, became embroiled in the dispute with KIU after publicly raising complaints concerning the university.
The dispute dates back to 2025, when KIU sued Ssentongo over social media publications concerning complaints from students and staff. In November 2025, the High Court issued an interim injunction restraining him from publishing or circulating new information considered injurious to the university’s reputation.
The case later escalated, with KIU seeking Ssentongo’s committal to civil prison for contempt and more than Shs1.2 billion in damages and fines.
The latest court action centres on a post Ssentongo made in March 2026 concerning money allegedly owed by KIU to the sons of his late brother.
The family reportedly paid more than Shs15 million in fees for the children, who subsequently changed schools before commencing their studies, and sought a refund or transfer of the money.
Ssentongo’s public criticism of the university over the matter has now resulted in the contempt proceedings and the Shs30 million financial penalty, according to accounts circulating from those supporting him.
Atuhaire said she had already received more than Shs3 million from contributors by Sunday.
The fundraising campaign has invited supporters to send contributions through MTN Mobile Money to +256 776 462727, using “SPIRE” as the reference.
The campaign has attracted support from several Ugandans who argue that the case goes beyond Ssentongo personally and raises questions about the space available for public criticism of powerful institutions.
One supporter, Kiiza Eron, said the judiciary has the authority to impose a fine but argued that citizens should not allow the court process to silence Ssentongo.
The debate has also generated calls for a legal challenge to the order rather than simply raising money to pay the penalty.
Ssentongo is a senior lecturer at Makerere University and an associate professor of Ethics and Identity Studies at Uganda Martyrs University. He is also known for his editorial cartoons and activism on governance, accountability and corruption. Makerere University lists him as a Senior Lecturer in its Department of Philosophy and notes that he has authored five books and edited three volumes.
His public activism has previously brought him into disputes with institutions, including a 2025 campaign over complaints raised by students and staff at KIU. KIU has maintained that its legal action was aimed at protecting its reputation and addressing what it considered false or damaging allegations.
The case has consequently evolved into a wider debate over the limits of free expression, contempt of court and the responsibility of public commentators when raising allegations against institutions.
For Ssentongo’s supporters, however, the immediate concern is the 14-day deadline and the prospect of a prison sentence if the court-ordered payment is not made.
As contributions continued to come in on Sunday, the campaign increasingly became a test of whether Ugandans would financially stand behind a public voice they regard as important to holding institutions accountable.
