KAMPALA, Uganda — The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to city lawyer Male Mabirizi after he failed to present a valid national identification card and his sureties submitted expired IDs without proof that they had applied for renewal.
The ruling was delivered by Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, who said the absence of a valid national ID from the applicant and the invalid documentation presented by the sureties made it difficult for the court to verify their identities and eligibility to stand surety.
According to the court, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) had earlier extended the validity of expired national IDs for one year in 2024 to allow citizens time to renew them. However, the magistrate noted that the extension had since lapsed in 2025, rendering the sureties’ expired IDs invalid without evidence that renewal had been initiated.
Mabirizi is facing charges of malicious communication and hate speech under Sections 26 and 28 of the Computer Misuse Act. The charges stem from alleged posts made on TikTok targeting Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and High Court judge Musa Ssekaana.
Following the bail denial, the defence team led by Anthony Asiimwe asked the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of Constitutional Petition No. 24 of 2025 before the Constitutional Court of Uganda.
In the petition, the Uganda Law Society is challenging the constitutionality of Sections 26 and 28 of the Computer Misuse Act, the same provisions under which Mabirizi has been charged.
The defence also urged the court to consider Uganda’s international human rights obligations, arguing that Mabirizi’s continued detention raises concerns regarding compliance with globally recognized rights standards.
Counsel cited several international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly provisions guaranteeing freedom of thought, expression and peaceful association. They also referred to Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protects the right to a fair hearing.
The defence referenced the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, highlighting Article 19 on freedom of expression and Article 22 on freedom of association.
The case was adjourned to 20th March 2026, when Mabirizi is expected to reappear in court as the matter proceeds.
