New Vision MD Don Wanyama Rebuked By Spire Ssentongo Over Judge Julia Ssebutinde

New Vision’s Managing Director Don Wanyama was put on the spot by social media activist, cartoonist and academician, Dr Jim Spire Ssentongo over Judge Julia Ssebutinde.

It should be noted that Ssebutinde is a Ugandan judge and the first African woman to sit on the ICC panel’s high court (International Court of Justice, ICJ). She is currently getting a lot of criticism from various social media users.

This has come mainly from Uganda her homeland, Africa, and sympathizers of Gaza. Apparently, she blocked the lawsuit brought forth by South Africa against Israel.

According to South Africa, the Israeli operation in Gaza should be halted with immediate effect. This is because they have led to a genocide and the ICJ ought to stop it.

When the time came to make a ruling, a panel of 17 judges was chosen to vote on the ‘six so-called provisional measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza.’ These measures were approved by an overwhelming majority.

An Israeli judge on the panel voted in favor of two on the 6. It was only Ssebutinde who voted against all of them earning her a viral trend on the Internet.

Apparently, many have been wondering why she would do this especially with the majority of Africans being pro-Palestinian. According to Don Wanyama, he doesn’t understand why the Ugandan judge would vote against humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Furthermore, he said that this is a case of humanity and not even the law. Additionally, the former State House PS said that the criticism should stop being aimed at Uganda. This is because she acted independently.

“Why would Justice Julia Ssebutinde rule against the provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Palestinians in Gaza?! Surely that’s not even about the law, it’s just humanity. I see attacks being directed at Uganda. A reminder, these judges despite secondment by countries, act independently.”

This saw Spire Ssentongo reply to Wanyama saying ‘Same questions we ask about New Vision sometimes – choosing to stand with the oppressor’ in regards to his question.