The High Court in Kampala has adjourned a human rights enforcement application in which Alternative Digitalk Limited and seven of its employees are seeking more than 1.5 billion shillings in compensation and damages over their arrest, detention and alleged torture during a security raid on the media organisation’s offices in March 2022.
The case was scheduled for hearing before High Court Judge Joyce Kavuma, but the hearing could not proceed after the respondents failed to file their responses to the application.
Counsel for the applicants, Kakuru Tumusiime of Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates, told the court that the respondents had been served with the application but had not filed their respective replies.
Judge Kavuma, who is currently handling election petitions in Masaka, subsequently adjourned the matter. The applicants were informed through the court registry that a new hearing date would be communicated through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System.
The application names the Attorney General, Deputy Assistant Inspector of Police George Ndyanabangi, Assistant Inspector General of Police Tom Magambo, the head of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, Kisembo of Criminal Intelligence, and UPDF Major General James Birungi, the former Commander of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, now known as Defence Intelligence and Security. The case arises from a security raid on Alternative Digitalk’s offices on March 10, 2022, during which nine staff members were arrested and equipment and personal belongings were seized.
Those arrested included Executive Director Norman Tumuhimbise, Programmes Director Arnold Anthony Mukose, Director of Administration and television host Farida Bikobere, lawyer and legal officer Kato Tumusiime, Head of Production Jeremiah Mukiibi, journalist Lilian Luwedde, producer Teangel Teddy Nabukeera, intern Jeje Wabyona and show host Rogers Tulyahabwe.
According to an affidavit sworn by Tumuhimbise in support of the application, security personnel searched the organisation’s premises and confiscated mobile phones, laptops, books, computers and other media equipment. The applicants allege that they were detained at the Special Investigations Unit in Kireka and later interrogated at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters in Mbuya.
Tumuhimbise further alleges that during their detention, the staff members were beaten, slapped, blindfolded and undressed and subjected to harsh interrogation. He also alleges that they were denied access to lawyers, relatives and visitors while in detention.
The applicants contend that their detention exceeded the constitutionally prescribed 48-hour period without them being brought before a court of law. These allegations are contained in affidavits filed in support of the application and have not been determined by the court. The respondents have not yet filed their responses and have therefore not presented their position on the allegations.
Following the arrests, seven of the suspects were released on police bond, while Tumuhimbise and Bikobere were charged before the Makindye Chief Magistrates’ Court with cyberstalking and offensive communication under the Computer Misuse Act.
The two were subsequently granted bail. According to the applicants’ court documents, the criminal proceedings were later dismissed for want of prosecution. The applicants say that despite the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, their confiscated personal and company property has never been returned.
They contend that the continued withholding of the equipment has affected Alternative Digitalk’s operations, including its ability to produce and broadcast television programmes. In his affidavit, Tumuhimbise says the organisation was forced to drop several television programmes because of inadequate equipment following the seizure.
He also claims that the organisation suffered a reduction in revenue and lost employees and potential advertising partners following the arrests and criminal proceedings. The applicants are asking the High Court to declare that their arrest, detention, search and confiscation of their property violated their constitutional rights.
They are also seeking an order directing the respondents to return all confiscated personal and company property. In addition, they are seeking more than 1.5 billion shillings in compensation and damages, together with any other orders the court considers appropriate.
The applicants argue that their rights to personal liberty, freedom of expression, ownership and use of property, fair and just administrative treatment, and to practise their chosen trade, occupation or profession were violated. They further argue that continued withholding of the equipment is unjustified because the property was neither used nor required as exhibits in the criminal proceedings.
The application was filed in May 2026, with the respondents expected to file their defences within 15 days of being served. The respondents are yet to file their respective responses. The court will consider the parties’ submissions before determining whether the applicants’ constitutional rights were violated and whether they are entitled to the remedies sought.
The arrests came barely a week after Tumuhimbise had announced on social media the planned launch of his books, The Komanyoko Politics, Liars and Accomplices and Unsowing the Mustard Seed. According to the applicants’ account, the launch was scheduled to take place at Imperial Royale Hotel shortly after the raid. The books were presented as critical of the country’s political leadership-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
