news 1 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Lawyer Male Mabirizi Hit with New Charges After Computer Misuse Case Dismissed
City lawyer Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka saw four charges under the Computer Misuse Act dropped in Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court due to a Constitutional Court ruling, but prosecutors immediately filed three fresh counts related to false publications and unlicensed broadcasting on TikTok. The court deferred his plea to April 15, 2026. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lawyer-mabirizi-faces-fresh-charges-after-initial-ones-dismissed-5409832
City lawyer Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka appeared in Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on April 1, 2026, anticipating release after the Constitutional Court nullified key provisions of the Computer Misuse Act.
Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa dismissed the initial four charges following a nolle prosequi from Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka. The withdrawal, dated March 30, 2026, was guided by the court’s ruling and Attorney General advice.
Mabirizi had faced accusations of offensive communication via social media posts targeting Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and Justice Musa Ssekaana, which he denied.
Immediately after, prosecutors introduced three new charges. The first two allege Mabirizi published false information on his TikTok account (@male.mabirizi) in January 2026, calling Chief Justice Zeija a conman, fraudster, corrupt, and file grabber who bribed for his position, and labeling Justice Ssekaana a conman and fraudster.
These violate Regulation 110(e) of the Uganda Communications (Licensing) Regulations, 2019.
The third charge claims he broadcast content without a Uganda Communications Commission license, breaching Sections 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act.
Mabirizi declined to plead, and the court adjourned the case to April 15 for his response.
This shift underscores evolving regulations on online expression in Uganda post the Computer Misuse Act ruling.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)