Kampala City lawyer Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka has been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison on four counts under the Computer Misuse Act over alleged social media posts targeting Uganda’s new Chief Justice and a justice of the Court of Appeal.
On Tuesday, the 39-year-old Mabirizi appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, where the State indicated the matter was coming up for plea-taking.
When the charges were read, Mabirizi declined to take plea.
“I am unable to take plea. I object to your participation, jurisdiction; my rights are being violated, and until these matters are first dealt with,” Mabirizi told court.
In response, Chief Magistrate Kidasa advised that any concerns regarding her recusal should be formally raised through written submissions.
“You need to write to me if you have a concern of recusal. You can file submissions to that effect,” she said.
Mabirizi protested that he was a detainee and argued that court could not lawfully remand him without first taking plea.
He further raised personal objections against the presiding magistrate, prompting a firm response from the bench.
“It’s not a personal matter. I will not go back and forth with you. I ask that you respect me. Let’s respect each other and let your lawyers address court,” Kidasa held.
Defence lawyer Anthony Asiimwe, who is also the Uganda Law Society vice president, requested a stand-over to consult with his client.
The request was opposed by chief state attorney Richard Birivumbuka, insisting there was no justification for a lengthy delay.
“There is no justification for standing over because the matter is coming up for plea-taking, unless counsel is seeking instructions from the accused,” Birivumbuka said, adding: “We implore Mabirizi to be courteous to court and that we proceed in a professional way.”
The magistrate allowed a brief two-minute consultation. When proceedings resumed and the charges were read again, Mabirizi maintained his objection, stating: “False and unconstitutional.”
According to the charge sheet, Mabirizi faces two counts of malicious information and two counts of hate speech, contrary to sections 28 and 26 of the Computer Misuse Act.
The State alleges that during January 2026, while using a TikTok account @male.mabirizi, he shared information accusing Chief Justice Flavian Zeija of being “a con man and fraudster,” corrupt, and of selling property to pay a bribe for his appointment as Principal Judge.
Prosecution contends the information was false and likely to ridicule or demean the Chief Justice.
Similar allegations form the basis of the charges relating to Court of Appeal Justice Musa Ssekaana, whom Mabirizi is accused of describing as “a con man and fraudster.”
State Attorney Joan Keko informed court that investigations were near completion and sought an adjournment for mention.
The defence applied for bail, citing incomplete inquiries, but the court declined to hear the application after it emerged that the necessary documents had not been uploaded on the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
“I advise you to do so,” the magistrate said, before remanding Mabirizi to February 18, when his bail application will be considered.
On February 22, 2022 Mabirizi was arrested and taken to Kitalya prison to serve his 18months jail for contempt of court by Justice Ssekaana.