Daily Express Journalist Remanded for Alleged Fake News

Remmy Asiteza, a journalist for the Daily Express, finds himself in Luzira Prison after being charged with publishing false news and running a broadcasting service without the necessary authorization.

The 32-year-old journalist was produced before the Buganda Road chief magistrate, Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, on Thursday. He had spent a week in police custody at the Kampala Central Police Station before his appearance in court.

Asiteza is accused, along with others not yet apprehended, of publishing a story between July 7 and 8, 2026, on the Daily Express website. The article, titled “Museveni Orders ISO Probe into Billions Swindled Under Assistant RDCs Recruitment Scheme,” allegedly falsely implicated Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, in a corruption scandal related to the recruitment of assistant resident district commissioners.

In addition to the fake news charge, Asiteza and his alleged accomplices are accused of operating the Daily Express website as a broadcasting service without a license from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Asiteza has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that investigations are ongoing. Asiteza’s case highlights a recent trend of legal actions against journalists and online content creators in Uganda concerning their publications and adherence to broadcasting regulations.

This follows similar cases, including journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose charged for broadcasting fake news about First Lady Janet Museveni, and TikToker Dean Lubowa Saava convicted for operating an unlicensed online TV and defamation.

Asiteza is scheduled to return to court on September 9, 2026, for the continuation of his case.

Read more: https://observer.ug/news/daily-express-journalist-asiteza-charged-remanded-over-fake-news