Ministry official detained for contempt of court
What you need to know:
Generally, Contempt of court occurs when someone disobeys a court order, shows disrespect for the judge, or disrupts judicial proceedings
KAMPALA. Next time you are in court, remember to either switch off or put your phone in silence.
This cardinal court rule, as obvious as it sounds, land you into trouble if not observed just like one of the senior Ministry of Education and Sports official who tasted the wrath of a magistrate on Wednesday.
Mr Paul Musoke, a National Trainer and Acting Technical Supervisor in the Ministry was detained for two hours in court cells and fined Shs50, 000 by Buganda Road Court Chief magistrate, Ms Lillian Bucyana for contempt of court.
His troubles started when his phone rang twice in the middle of a court session. The first time the phone rang, the seemingly irritated magistrate warned Mr Musoke and advised him to switch it off but he did not take heed.
When it rang the second time, the magistrate ordered for his detention and asked him to pay the fine or be committed to Luzira Prison for three days.
“It is not the first time I am telling you to switch off your phones while you are in Court. It seems you have failed to learn, therefore you are ordered to pay a fine of Shs50,000 and in default spend three days in jail,” Ms Bucyana said before ordering that Mr Musoke be taken to the Court holding cells where he spent two hours.
Mr Musoke had come to attend a court session in a case in which his sister in-law, Ms Hasifah Nakayenga is facing fraud charges.
Generally, Contempt of court occurs when someone disobeys a court order, shows disrespect for the judge, or disrupts judicial proceedings. There are two types of contempt--civil contempt and criminal contempt. Mr Musoke’s case can be referred to as civil contempt which occurs when a person refuses to obey a court order. Civil contempt can be "purged" by following the court order. A fine, confinement in jail, or both can be imposed for civil contempt. The sanctions are meant to coerce compliance with the court's order rather than to punish the person. If jailed, the person will be released from jail when he/she complies with the court order.
