By Watchdog reporter
High Court has ordered State Minister for Housing Chris Baryomunsi, Godfrey Karabenda and Kanungu FM to pay shs50m over contempt of court.
On the 27th November 2016, Baryomunsi and Karabenda were hosted on Kanungu FM in which they discussed the material aspects of the case that was already in court in which Musinguzi James Garuga and Kinkizi Development Company had sued Baryomunsi and New Vision for defamation.
The talk show took place despite an interim order issued by court “ retraining Dr Baryomunsi , his servants and or agents from publishing further libel against Garuga and Kinkizi Development Company or make further slanderous, malicious statements or any further defamatory publication” .
In the ruling made by the head of civil division Justice Stephen Musota and read by Assistant Registrar of the Civil Division Court noted that “The primary purpose of contempt is to preserve the effectiveness and sustenance of the power of courts”. And held that by Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and Karabenda Godfrey appearing on Kanungu FM to discuss matters that were in court amidst a court order prohibiting them to do so, clearly amounts to Contempt of Court.
Justice Musota ordered them to pay Uganda shs50m as damages and that Dr. Baryomunsi, Karabenda and Kanungu FM should deposit SHS2m each in court as fine for their contemptuous actions.
They were further ordered to pay interest and costs incurred by Garuga and Kinkizi Development Company.
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