The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded two men to Luzira Prison after they were charged with publishing fake news, broadcasting without a licence and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour.
The accused are 33-year-old Ronald Mayega, also known as Munyarwanda Wa Bobi, a businessman and resident of Masitowa in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, and 28-year-old Swaibu Kakaire, alias One-One, also a businessman and resident of Kyengera in Nansana Municipality.
The two appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko on Tuesday afternoon and denied all the charges.
They are accused of publishing fake news, contrary to Regulation 110(e) of the Uganda Communications (Licensing) Regulations, 2019; broadcasting without a licence, contrary to Section 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act; and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, contrary to Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution alleges that in July 2026, Mayega, Kakaire and others still at large used a TikTok account identified as @one.one.ug.media to publish an audio-visual news story making allegations against Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara.
According to the charge sheet, the content alleged that Barugahara had sodomised Mayega or knew the people who had allegedly committed the act against him. The prosecution maintains that the allegations were false. The accused are also alleged to have broadcast the content through the TikTok account without a broadcasting licence issued by the Uganda Communications Commission.
State prosecutor Grace Amy told the court that investigations into the case were still ongoing. However, defence lawyer Jonathan Elotu asked the court to address concerns raised by the accused about their treatment while in custody.
Mayega told the court that he had been tortured following his arrest and allegedly forced to admit to the charges. He displayed injuries which he said he had sustained while in custody, including injuries to his nose, legs, palm and back. He added that he was unable to walk without support and alleged that his back had been struck with a gun. He also claimed to have sustained other injuries during his detention.
Kakaire similarly alleged that he had been beaten while in state custody. He told the court that he and Mayega were later taken to Jinja Police Station, where they spent about a week. Kakaire further alleged that he was forced to record a statement despite informing his captors that he was unwell.
Elotu asked the court to order a comprehensive medical examination of both accused persons, arguing that the alleged injuries needed to be independently documented. He requested that a medical report be prepared and presented to court at the next hearing. The lawyer also asked the court to consider granting the accused bail, noting that investigations were still ongoing.
In her ruling, Magistrate Nankya said the allegations of torture had been placed on record and duly noted. She described allegations of torture as serious and said the court was obligated to have the matter investigated before further proceedings could take place.
The magistrate consequently directed prison authorities to conduct a complete medical examination of both accused persons and present a medical report to court at their next appearance.
The two men were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison. They are expected to return to the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court on September 28, 2026, for mention of the case-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
