By KT Reporter
Kawempe Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Hajji Noor Njuki Mbabali has earned himself six months in Luzira prison for contempt of court. Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Civil Division issued the ruling following an application by Hassan Ssenyondo, Secretary General of the Juma Zukuuli Muslim group, who accused Mbabali of obstructing the implementation of a court directive.
Ssenyondo alleged that Mbabali refused to clear the newly elected Juma Zukuuli leaders to assume office despite a court order. In September 2024, the court installed the new leadership and directed that a general assembly be held to pass a new constitution and conduct fresh elections.
He explained that Kikabi Ismail and others had previously sued the management committee of Juma Zukuuli, specifically targeting Sheikh Muhammad Lunanoba, the former president general and Al-Hajj J.A. Sebuta Malende. On September 5, 2024, the court instructed mediators—who were also judicial officers—to oversee the general assembly, approve the new constitution, and organize elections.
According to Ssenyondo, the court further ordered the immediate installation of the new office bearers. On September 7, 2024, mediators read and explained the court order to all present, including Mbabali. However, despite full awareness, Mbabali refused to clear the new leadership, an act Ssenyondo described as blatant contempt of court.The court heard that all security agencies had approved the order, but Mbabali, as Deputy RCC, deliberately blocked its implementation.
“The respondent, being the Deputy RCC of Kawempe Division, should have ensured compliance with the court order instead of violating it willfully,” Ssenyondo told the court.
He petitioned the court to jail Mbabali for six months and fine him 300 million shillings for contempt. In his ruling, Justice Ssekaana condemned Mbabali’s conduct, stating that the court’s decision was clear and did not require any interpretation.
“This type of order takes immediate effect and requires no clearance. This was not a land dispute where the Deputy RCC would oversee eviction or demolition. The respondent has illegally given himself authority he does not have. It is not his mandate to interpret court orders,” Ssekaana ruled.
He declared Mbabali’s actions unlawful and said he was unfit to serve as a public officer. “The impunity with which he handled this matter and his refusal to respond to court proceedings show his actions were driven by corruption. His disregard for the court order suggests he was influenced by bribery,” he said.
Ssekaana noted that Mbabali had used his position to create confusion instead of enforcing the law. “Despite clear guidance from the court, the respondent continued to sow confusion and personally involved himself in matters beyond his authority,” Ssekaana said. He emphasized that defying court orders was not an innocent act but a deliberate attempt to exploit the justice system for personal gain. “A party who walks into court with an order must be assured that it will be enforced.
The public has a stake in the orderly administration of justice, and courts must protect that interest,” Ssekaana added. With no alternative, the judge ordered Mbabali’s immediate arrest and committal to civil prison for six months. This is the third time Justice Ssekaana has convicted someone for contempt of court.
In 2022, he sentenced lawyer Male Mabirizi to 18 months, and he also issued a two-year jail term for Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde, who remains at large. Both were found guilty of using vulgar insults against him on social media. In recent times, courts have been accused of weaponizing contempt of court charges against those who oppose them. Notably, lawyer Eron Kiiza was sentenced to nine months in prison for contempt by the Court Martial-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
