The court of appeal sitting in Kampala has decliened to grant a temporary order for the release of lawyer Male Mabirizi from Prison.

Mabirizi was arrested on Monday February 21st over an 18 month jail term handed to him by High Court Civil Division Judge Musa Ssekaana for contempt of court and disparaging judicial oficiers using his social media platforms.

Ssekaana’s decision followed an application by State Attorney Patricia Mutesi from the Attorney General’s Chambers who argued that despite a January 27th, 2022 order warning Mabirizi to desist from attacking judicial officers, he continued making contemptuous posts on his social media platforms against him (Ssekaana) and the Judiciary.

Mabirizi would later appeal against the decision of Justice Ssekaana asking the court of appeal to stay the execution of his imprisonment and the fine imposed on him.

But in his ruling on Friday, Justice Christopher Madrama said Mabirizi’s plea to stay execution of the 18 months imprisonment cannot succeed because he has not applied for the same.

Justice Mudrama said that Mabirizi had only applied against the UGX300 million fine but not the 18 month jail sentence.

He further added that nothing can be done to overturn the imprisonment since he hhas already been arrested and taken to prison.

The judge however issued a temporary injunction staying the execution of payment of the shs300 million fine that had been imposed on Mabirizi .