The Law Development Centre (LDC) Magistrates Court has dismissed charges against Alternative Digital journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose for allegedly sending false distress signals about First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, after the prosecution failed to proceed with the case.
Grade One Magistrate Ivan Maloba dismissed the charges on Monday for want of prosecution, citing the State’s failure to present witnesses, produce the police file or comply with an earlier order to amend the charge sheet.
Mukose had faced two charges relating to allegedly sending false distress signals concerning the First Lady and broadcasting fake news, offences the prosecution said were contrary to the Uganda Communications Act and regulations governing electronic communications.
The case returned to court on Monday for further hearing after the defence had previously challenged aspects of the charge sheet, including the court’s jurisdiction. The prosecution was subsequently directed to amend the charge sheet.
However, State prosecutor Rachael Namutebi told the court that she did not have the amended charge sheet or the police file. Namutebi, who had recently returned from leave, asked the magistrate to exercise his discretion on how to proceed with the case.
The defence, led by lawyer Morgan Muhindo, who was holding brief for Kato Tumusiime, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate its readiness to proceed despite previously indicating that investigations had been completed.
Muhindo said the State had neither complied with the order to amend the charge sheet nor presented any witnesses since the case was instituted. He further argued that the prolonged proceedings had caused Mukose considerable inconvenience and urged the court to bring the matter to an end.
Maloba subsequently dismissed the charges, effectively setting Mukose free unless he is being held on other charges.
Mukose had spent more than a month on remand before he was granted a cash bail of 5 million Shillings on May 5, 2026. His lawyers had argued that the offences were bailable.
The prosecution had alleged that Mukose and others, who remain at large, published information on the Alternative Digital Channel between January and March 2026 claiming that First Lady Janet Museveni had died. Mukose denied the allegations.
The First Lady made a public appearance last week after several months away from public view. She was seen ahead of the consecration of her daughter, Patience Rwabwogo, as a bishop and later attended the consecration ceremony on Sunday alongside her husband, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Mukose is also among the petitioners who successfully challenged several provisions of the Computer Misuse Act, 2022, before the Constitutional Court-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
