Mabirizi Granted Bail After Nearly Six Months in Custody

[Da Dona]

Lawyer Male H. Mabirizi K. Kiwanuka is set to regain his freedom after nearly six months in custody, following a decision by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court to grant him mandatory bail.

Mabirizi has been in custody while facing four charges under the Computer Misuse Act arising from alleged social media posts targeting Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and Court of Appeal Judge Musa Ssekaana.
•Prosecution alleges that in January 2026, Mabirizi used his TikTok account, @malemabirizi, to publish and share information about Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, describing him as a “conman,” “fraudster” and “corrupt official.” The State says the allegations were false and were published with intent to ridicule, degrade or demean the judicial officer.

•He is also accused of posting similar information about Court of Appeal Justice Musa Ssekaana, with the prosecution alleging that the posts were intended to ridicule, degrade or demean the judge.

On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa ruled that Mabirizi should be released on bail after he challenged his continued detention.

•The court ordered him to deposit Shs2 million in cash and provide two substantial sureties, each required to execute a non-cash bond of Shs5 million.

•His sureties must also provide details of Mabirizi’s permanent place of abode, which will be verified by an officer appointed by the court.

•As part of the conditions, Mabirizi must surrender his passport to court and obtain written permission before travelling outside Uganda. He has also been barred from directly or indirectly interfering with prosecution witnesses.

•The court further directed him to personally attend every hearing. Failure to comply could lead to cancellation of his bail.

The latest ruling follows an earlier setback in which the same court rejected Mabirizi’s previous bail application after he failed to attach a valid national identification document. The court also rejected his proposed sureties after they presented expired national identity cards without proof that they had applied for renewal.

At the time, Mabirizi argued that his National Identification Number and a letter of introduction from his Local Council chairperson were sufficient to establish his identity. However, the magistrate rejected the argument, saying a NIN alone was not sufficient for a bail application.

In the latest application, the court nevertheless granted Mabirizi mandatory bail, subject to the conditions imposed.

Mabirizi had also asked the court to dismiss the case for want of prosecution and sought to challenge aspects of the proceedings through two Notices of Reference to the Constitutional Court. Both requests were rejected by the magistrate.

The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Joan Keko, has already presented its first witness in the case.

Mabirizi had previously indicated that he intended to challenge the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s court and seek the magistrate’s recusal. His lawyers have also said that the Uganda Law Society petitioned the Constitutional Court over provisions of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act under which he is charged.

Mabirizi will be released once he completes all the bail requirements set by court.


Daily Monitor​