national 26 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Magistrate Denies Mabirizi's Recusal Bid, Defers Bail Ruling
Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe has rejected lawyer Male Mabirizi's applications to recuse herself from his trial, deeming his claims of bias "speculative and self-created." The court also deferred ruling on Mabirizi's mandatory bail application. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/magistrate-refuses-to-recuse-self-from-mabirizi-trial-defers-mandatory-bail-ruling-5510170
Controversial lawyer and activist Male Mabirizi was unsuccessful in his attempt to have Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe recuse herself from his ongoing criminal trial at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Mabirizi advanced several grounds for his recusal applications, including allegations of bias and conflict of interest, suggesting the magistrate was a witness in separate proceedings and acting on instructions. However, Ms. Neumbe dismissed these claims, stating they were “speculative, unsubstantiated, and fail to meet the objective test of bias.”
“To allow recusal on such grounds would set a dangerous precedent where litigants could disqualify judicial officers at will,” the magistrate stated in her ruling, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence from applications aimed at derailing court proceedings. Mabirizi expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that a judicial officer involved in legal proceedings with an accused cannot claim impartiality.
Following the rejection of his recusal bids, Mabirizi pressed for a ruling on his mandatory bail application. He argued he has been on remand for over 60 days without trial, a violation of constitutional safeguards. Mabirizi contended that mandatory bail proceedings should not face protracted adversarial hearings, especially after the prosecution failed to respond to his submissions.
The State, represented by attorney Allan Mucunguzi, requested an adjournment, citing a lack of full instructions on the bail matter and seeking time for the lead prosecutor to respond. Despite Mabirizi’s strong opposition based on court directives for counsel holding brief to proceed with authority, Chief Magistrate Neumbe granted the adjournment.
Agreeing with the prosecution’s request and citing principles of natural justice, Ms. Neumbe ruled that the State must be given a fair opportunity to respond. The mandatory bail application has been adjourned to July 10, 2026.
Male Mabirizi faces four counts under the Computer Misuse Act related to alleged offensive social media posts targeting Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and Court of Appeal Justice Musa Ssekaana. He denies the charges.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)