The City Hall Magistrates Court has remanded a TikToker identified as Hassan Nsubuga to Luzira Prison on charges of cyber harassment, unlawful obtaining and disclosure of personal data, and cyberstalking of the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine and Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba.
Nsubuga, 40, a resident of Kisubi, Entebbe Municipality, is accused of using a mobile phone to publish electronic communications on his TikTok account, through which he accused Atwine of stealing Ministry of Health funds and contributing to the deterioration of medical services, which he claimed had resulted in the deaths of several Ugandans.
According to the charge sheet, the same person allegedly accused Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba of misappropriating ministry funds, creating fraudulent land titles and frustrating land-related court cases involving poor people. He reportedly claimed that these actions had caused suffering among Ugandans. He is accused of calling on members of the public to rise against Atwine and Nabakooba, arrest them and identify their personal properties for sale.
Prosecutors contend that the statements amounted to threats of physical harm against Atwine, Nabakooba and their properties. He now faces six counts comprising two counts of cyber harassment, two counts of unlawful obtaining and disclosure of personal data, and two counts of cyberstalking, all offences committed in September 2026 in Kampala or surrounding areas.
He denied all charges this morning when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Grade One Edgar Karakire. The cyber harassment and personal data charges relate to the alleged publications concerning Atwine and Nabakooba.
The cyberstalking counts accuse Nsubuga of repeatedly using electronic communications to contact, track or harass the two officials, allegedly disturbing or attempting to disturb their peace, quiet or right to privacy without a legitimate communication purpose.
Court records indicate that the case was initially registered at Kira Road Police Station under Criminal Registration Book reference number 1045/2026 before being brought to court. Prosecutor Benjamin Amanya informed the court that investigations into the case were complete. Nsubuga had applied for bail under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, but the court rejected his application, saying his sureties were not substantial.
They included his friend, Abbey Twaha Kaddu, a shop attendant in Seeta, and his sister, Josephine Namatovu, a shop owner in the same area. The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Kaddu did not have a close affiliation with Nsubuga, while Namatovu had not presented a trading licence to establish ownership of her alleged business.
In his ruling, the magistrate noted that the sureties resided outside the jurisdiction of the City Hall Magistrates Court and had not demonstrated sufficient influence over Nsubuga to ensure that he returned to court whenever required.
The court also observed that the sureties had not adequately established the nature and location of their businesses, information it considered necessary to facilitate their tracing should Nsubuga abscond. Karakire advised Nsubuga to secure more suitable sureties and reapply for bail if he wished. Meanwhile, he was remanded to Luzira Prison until November 5, 2026.
Nsubuga is among several Ugandans who have faced criminal charges relating to their online communications. About seven years ago, Brian Isiko, then a student at YMCA, was charged with cyberstalking former Kabarole District Woman Member of Parliament Sylvia Rwabwogo. He was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison.
Other cases include that of former Makerere University academic Dr Stellah Nyanzi, who faced charges of offensive communication and cyber harassment and TikToker Ibrahim Musana, popularly known as Pressure 24/7, who also faced allegations of cyber harassment following a series of social media posts targeting the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, former Speaker of Parliament Anitat Among and Minister Joyce Ssebugwawo-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
