Social activist, Dr. Stella Nyanzi. (Courtesy Photo)
Lead Pastor of Gospel Life Church International, Umar Mulinde has condemned and called for thorough investigations into what led to the assault of Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu, a Magistrate Grade One on Friday.
A court session at Buganda Road court turned rowdy when Ms. Kamasanyu convicted social activist Dr. Stella Nyanzi on the offense of cyber harassment and sentenced her to 18 months in prison.
One alleged Nyanzi supporter threw a water bottle at the magistrate’s head, others vandalized court property, including videoconferencing and security equipment, accusing government of using laws about digital communications to stifle political dissent.
This incident led to the arrest of at least six, media sources reported.
Pastor Umar Mulinde on August 4, 2019 called relevant stake holders to take action and bring the perpetrators of the attack on the Magistrate to justice.
“I urge all Ugandans and activists for women’s rights to come together and condemn the people who threw a water bottle at Ms Gladys Kamasanyu while delivering her verdict in a case of social activist Dr Stella Nyanzi. Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said.
“Any Judge making a verdict in accordance with the law stipulates that if any individual seems dissatisfied with his/her decision has a right to appeal. There was no need of engaging in violence,” Pr Mulinde added.
“We have values that we stand for a country, one of which is showing respect to women,” he said.
Dr Umar Mulinde went ahead and also condemned the manner in which Dr Nyanzi protested as the magistrate sentenced her to 18 months in prison.
As witnessed in court, the academic only seen via a video link bared her breasts and screamed obscenities.
She is ashaming women, Pastor Umar Mulinde stated.
“If a mother can undress in public, what image is she portraying to her children,” Pr Mulinde said, urging that Dr Nyanzi should be handled with an ‘iron fist’ to stops undressing in public.
Pr Mulinde urged every adult and those in places of authority to live exemplary lives.
Meanwhile, The Chief Justice, Bart M. Katureebe commended the Magistrate for remaining calm throughout the proceedings and the assault on her, saying acts of hooliganism have no place in a civilized society.
“This kind of thing is not acceptable…we condemn this kind of hooliganism in the strongest possible terms. We hope the culprits are quickly identified and brought to book,” he said. “We’re 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.”
