Judiciary says acts of hooliganism exhibited during Stella Nyanzi case have no place in society

The judiciary has condemned acts of hooliganism exhibited during the sentencing of former Makerere University scholar, Dr.Stella Nyanzi on Friday.

Following Nyanzi’s sentencing, her sympathizers inside the courtroom turned rowdy, insulting the presiding Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu before throwing bottles at her, one of which hit her face.

On a statement released on Saturday, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe said he was dismayed by the uncivilized, offensive and disrespectful acts of hooliganism that culminated into the assault of a judicial officer who was carrying out her duties.

“This kind of thing is not acceptable. We must condemn this kind of hooliganism in the strongest possible terms. We hope the culprits are quickly identified and brought to book,” Katureebe said.

“We are working hand-in-hand with relevant authorities to ensure that there is adequate security for all judicial officers. I have already asked the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to raise the matters of Courts' security as a matter of urgency in Cabinet.”

The Chief Justice, however, commended the trial magistrate for remaining calm throughout the proceedings despite continued attacks and acts of hooliganism against her.

In a similar manner, the new judiciary Permanent Secretary, Pius Bigirimana said he was concerned by the conduct of the sympathizers for Dr.Stella Nyanzi adding that judicial officers must always be protected as they perform their duties.

The Chief Registrar, Esta Nambayo, said judicial officers are merely neutral arbiters who carefully hear both parties in a matter before making a verdict in accordance with the law.

“The law gives dissatisfied parties a right to appeal any judicial decision up to the Supreme Court. We know that Her Worship Kamasanyu dutifully played her part in the case of Dr. Nyanzi, and anyone dissatisfied with her decision has a right to appeal rather than engaging in violence,” Nambayo said.

She condemned the manner in which sympathizers of some litigants like Stella Nyanzi have always behaved during court proceedings.

“We find it callous for litigants to organize crowds to try and undermine judicial independence. If we want to be governed by the rule of law, then we must allow institutions to operate and that is why the Constitution provides for the courts.”

Makerere University Research fellow, Dr. Stella Nyanzi was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after being convicted of cyber harassment after a facebook post in which he harassed President Museveni and his late mother.

The trial magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu noted that the post by Nyanzi was a blow below the belt when it in a disgusting, nasty and immoral manner described the private parts of a dead woman, something against the norm in African society.

Kamasanyu said that if Nyanzi intended to carry a sensible message, she should have used a more reasonable language which is not corrupting of children and youths minds which she intimated to have been fighting for.