By Spy Uganda
Controversial Kampala-based 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 newly appointed Chief Justice and a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Mabirizi, 39, appeared on Tuesday before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, where the State indicated that the matter was scheduled for plea-taking. However, Mabirizi declined to take plea when the charges were read, raising objections to the court’s jurisdiction and the magistrate’s participation.
“I am unable to take plea. I object to your participation and jurisdiction; my rights are being violated, and until these matters are first dealt with,” Mabirizi told court.
In response, Magistrate Kidasa advised Mabirizi to formally raise any concerns regarding recusal 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,” Magistrate Kidasa ruled.
His lawyer, Anthony Asiimwe, who is also the Vice President of the Uganda Law Society, requested a stand-over to consult with his client. The request was opposed by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, who argued that there was no justification for delaying the proceedings.
“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, urging Mabirizi to conduct himself courteously in court.
The magistrate allowed a brief two-minute consultation. When proceedings resumed and the charges were read again, Mabirizi maintained his objection, declaring them “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 prosecution alleges that in January 2026, while using a TikTok account @male.mabirizi, Mabirizi posted content 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. The State contends that the information was false and intended 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 also accused of describing as “a con man and fraudster.”
State Attorney Joan Keko informed court that investigations were nearing completion and requested an adjournment for mention.
The defence applied for bail, citing incomplete investigations. However, the court declined to hear the application after it emerged that the necessary documents had not been uploaded onto the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
“I advise you to do so,” Magistrate Kidasa said, before remanding Mabirizi to February 18, when his bail application will be considered.
Mabirizi has a history of run-ins with the courts. In February 2022, he was arrested and committed to Kitalya Prison, where he served an 18-month sentence for contempt of court following proceedings before Justice Musa Ssekaana.
