By KT Reporter
A 29-year-old law student from Kampala International University (KIU) has been charged for unlawfully recording a High Court Judge during a court session without consent.
The accused, Herbert Arinaitwe, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Alex Niyonzima at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally charged with unlawfully obtaining personal data contrary to the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019. He pleaded not guilty to the offence.
According to the prosecution, led by State Attorney Jane Francis Itae, the incident occurred on October 10, 2025, inside Courtroom III of the High Court’s Criminal Division, where Justice Andrew Khauka was presiding over a session. It is alleged that Arinaitwe recorded a video of the Judge without authorisation, an act considered a breach of privacy under Ugandan law.
Prosecution informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. Through his lawyer, Norbert Rwabiti, Arinaitwe applied for bail, arguing that he is a bona fide law student who had presented his university admission letter, student identification card, national ID, and a local council letter to support his claim. The lawyer noted that Arinaitwe has a pending Criminal Law examination scheduled for October 15, and that the offence is bailable by law.
Rwabiti further argued that the accused had met all the legal requirements for bail and that the court had the discretion to release him pending trial.
However, the prosecution contested the application, raising concerns about the authenticity of the academic documents presented and warning that releasing the accused at this stage could lead to interference with ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Magistrate Niyonzima observed that the sureties presented were substantial and that the accused had demonstrated sufficient grounds for temporary release. He granted Arinaitwe a cash bail of 1 million Shillings, while each surety was bonded at 5 million Shillings non-cash.
The magistrate also cautioned the sureties that failure to ensure the accused’s compliance with bail terms would result in forfeiture of the bond amount.
The case has been adjourned to November 25, 2025, for hearing.
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