Ugandans on X have rallied to raise Shs30 million to help cartoonist, academic and social commentator Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo meet a contempt-of-court fine ahead of a Monday deadline.
The campaign, driven largely by journalists, opposition politicians, activists, academics and ordinary social-media users, had mobilised about Shs30 million by Sunday as supporters rallied behind Ssentongo, who has been ordered by court to pay the money following proceedings arising from his public criticism of Kampala International University.
The fundraising has transformed X into a virtual collection point, with users contributing amounts ranging from a few thousand shillings to hundreds of thousands of shillings.
For many of the contributors, the campaign is about more than simply raising money. It has become a demonstration of solidarity with a public commentator who has built a reputation for using cartoons and commentary to interrogate Uganda’s political, social and economic affairs.
Journalists Join the Campaign
Journalists, Stanley Ndawula (The Investigator) Agather Atuhaire (freelance) and Gabriel Bbuule have been among those amplifying the fundraising campaign and calling on Ugandans to stand with Ssentongo.
In a post on X, Bbuule highlighted the court order requiring Ssentongo to pay Shs30 million and appealed to members of the public to contribute towards the target. Gabriel Bbuule’s X post
The campaign has also attracted contributions from people within Uganda’s media fraternity.Ndawula who is also the Chief Executive Officer of The Investigator, joined Bbuule in contributing Shs300,000 each towards the campaign.
Their contributions have been viewed as part of a broader effort by journalists to stand with one of their own at a time when the financial consequences of litigation threaten to become overwhelming.
“Stand With Spire” Message Spreads
Across X, supporters have been sharing fundraising messages, encouraging their followers to contribute whatever they can afford.
The campaign has relied heavily on the principle that small contributions, when combined, can make a significant difference.
Rather than expecting a handful of wealthy individuals to meet the entire obligation, supporters have urged hundreds or thousands of Ugandans to participate.
The result has been a remarkable demonstration of crowdsourced solidarity.
A contribution of Shs10,000, Shs20,000 or Shs50,000 may appear modest individually, but multiplied across a large number of people, such contributions can quickly build into millions of shillings.
More Than Just a Court Fine
For many supporters, however, the campaign goes beyond paying a financial penalty.
Ssentongo has become known for his cartoons and commentary on governance, corruption, inequality, accountability and social justice.His work has frequently provided Ugandans with a satirical lens through which to examine the country’s political and social realities.
His supporters therefore view the fundraising as an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with a person they believe has consistently used his platform to engage Ugandans on matters affecting society.Contributing to the campaign does not necessarily mean endorsing every statement or position taken by Ssentongo.
For some donors, it is instead about ensuring that a fellow citizen and public commentator does not confront a major financial burden alone.
Ndawula and Bbuule Contribute Shs600,000
Among the notable contributions from the media fraternity is the combined Shs600,000 from Ndawula and Bbuule.
Ndawula contributed Shs300,000, while Bbuule also contributed Shs300,000.
Their participation has added weight to the campaign, particularly because both are journalists who understand the pressures that come with public commentary and investigative reporting.
Their intervention has also encouraged other members of the media fraternity and the public to participate.
X Becomes a Digital Mobilisation Centre
The Ssentongo campaign demonstrates the growing role of social media in organising Ugandans around causes that require urgent financial intervention.
In the past, fundraising campaigns were largely organised through churches, community associations, workplaces, radio stations and physical meetings.
Today, a single post on X can reach thousands of people within minutes.One person can post an appeal, another can amplify it, another can publish payment details, while hundreds of others can contribute.
The result is a form of digital mobilisation that can operate around the clock.The Ssentongo campaign has demonstrated precisely that power.
Ugandans Race Against Monday Deadline
With Monday’s deadline approaching, supporters have shifted their focus from awareness to action.
Those who pledged money are being encouraged to fulfil their promises, while those who have not yet contributed are being urged to give whatever amount they can afford.
The urgency has added momentum to the campaign, with supporters repeatedly reminding one another that the fundraising is operating against a fixed deadline.
The reported Shs30 million target has therefore become both a financial objective and a measure of how far Ssentongo’s online community can mobilise.
A Debate About Free Expression
The campaign has also reignited wider conversations about freedom of expression and the risks faced by journalists, cartoonists and public commentators.
Ssentongo’s supporters argue that people who participate in public debate should not be abandoned when they face legal and financial difficulties.At the same time, the court process remains an important part of the matter, with the rule of law requiring parties to respect judicial decisions.
For supporters, however, contributing money is not necessarily an attempt to challenge the court.Instead, it is viewed as a way of supporting Ssentongo personally while allowing the legal process to take its course.
A Test of Digital Solidarity
The fundraising has revealed the strength of the community Ssentongo has built through years of cartoons, commentary and public engagement.People who have followed his work have now moved from simply liking, reposting or commenting on his work to putting their money behind him.
The campaign is therefore testing a new form of digital solidarity in Uganda — one where online communities can rapidly transform sympathy into tangible financial assistance.For Ssentongo, the immediate challenge is clear: ensure that the Shs30 million obligation is met before Monday.
For his supporters, the message is equally clear: no one should face such a burden alone when a community is willing to stand together.
And with journalists such as Ndawula and Bbuule each contributing Shs300,000, the media fraternity has also sent its own message of solidarity: when one of its members comes under pressure, colleagues can choose to stand beside him.
As the deadline approaches, Ugandans on X are now watching to see whether their collective effort will provide Ssentongo with the financial lifeline he needs.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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