KAMPALA UGANDA: 11 August 2026— Renowned cartoonist, academic, and activist Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo (popularly known as Dr. Spire) has issued a heartfelt message of gratitude to the public after a swift, overwhelming crowdfunding campaign successfully raised full funds for a court fine imposed on him following a lawsuit by Kampala International University (KIU).
Dr. Spire was ordered by court to pay a 30 million UGX fine or face imprisonment. However, within just 24 hours of the ruling, supporters had already raised 24 million UGX. The campaign quickly surpassed its target, drawing contributions from across the globe even after the initial threshold was met.
A Direct Defense of Freedoms
In his appreciation message, Dr. Spire framed the overwhelming public intervention not merely as a personal rescue, but as a broader stand for free expression, public accountability, and resistance against overreaching authority.
“I know you did this because you relate with my principles, work, and commitments… Some of you intervened in defence of freedoms and protection of this space for accountability,” Spire wrote. “Some did it in defiance against the powerful that pee on those below.”
He emphasized that the case had evolved into a collective cause, noting that well-wishers and legal supporters have completely shielded him from out-of-pocket costs throughout the trial.
“Ever since this case started, I have never spent a single penny of mine. Well wishers, fans, and friends have carried me on their shoulders all through — and very happily. It is not me they carry though, it is the cause.”
Unity Across Political, Regional, and Religious Lines
Highlighting the extraordinary reach of the movement, Dr. Spire revealed that contributions ranged from modest amounts as small as 4,000 UGX to significant donations from across political and geographical divides.
Political Inclusivity: Contributions came from both the opposition and members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), including cabinet ministers who privately reached out.
Global Solidarity: Donations poured in from across Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe) and around the world, including the US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, UAE, and Kazakhstan.
Key Allies: Spire extended specific gratitude to human rights lawyer Kiiza Eron and investigative journalist Agather Atuhaire for initiating the fundraising drive, as well as National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) for amplifying the call to the public.
A Call for Goodness Over Injustice
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the public’s response, Dr. Spire noted that the campaign proved Uganda possesses a strong foundation of well-intentioned citizens capable of driving positive change.
“This country has very many good people, and we could build on those to do much more good,” he concluded. “The evil ones are few and have no REAL friends to count on… They live in fear for the harm they’ve caused to others.”
With the financial penalties fully settled through public solidarity, the campaign stands as one of the most swift and broad-based civilian fundraising efforts for activist legal defense in recent Ugandan history.
