Former St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market chairperson Susan Kushaba has been remanded to prison following her appearance before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations of using TikTok to circulate false messages targeting top government ministers.
The 46-year-old businesswoman and former Kampala Central MP aspirant appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa on Thursday, where she formally denied three counts of sending a false distress signal contrary to the Uganda Communications Act.
The arraignment followed days of legal maneuvering, including an initial failure to show up earlier in the week under criminal summons. Defense counsel Mr. Robert Bautu explained to the court that Kushaba had been upcountry in Ntungamo District and only learned of the court date via social media. On Wednesday, the court had extended the summons rather than issuing an arrest warrant after the state failed to prove formal service.
Defense Chambers Request Denied Amid Heated Arguments
Upon appearing in court, the defense team, led by Mr. Bautu, attempted to halt the formal plea-taking by requesting an in-chamber session.
“I have some issues to raise before we proceed and we would like to seek the court’s indulgence in chambers,” Mr. Bautu told the court, adding that the matter would not prejudice the proceedings.
However, Chief State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi, appearing alongside Ms. Grace Amy, strongly objected to any delays.
“The accused is in court and the matter is for plea-taking. No law has been cited to halt plea-taking. We have been in office since morning and he has not approached us,” Mr. Mucunguzi argued.
Following the objection, Chief Magistrate Neumbe proceeded to read the charges, and Kushaba pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Details of the TikTok Charges
According to the charge sheet, Kushaba, a resident of Namugongo Butto Zone in Kira Municipality, faces three specific counts stemming from content published between January and October 2026 under the TikTok handle @The Investigator UG:
1. Count One: Alleges that Kushaba used the platform to publish a video accusing Minister for Kampala Minsa Kabanda Nabbengo of land grabbing and fraud.
2. Count Two: Alleges she accused State Minister for Kampala Joseph Kabuye Karubanga of misappropriating funds intended for Kampala’s boda boda riders and taxi operators.
3. Count Three: Involves allegations concerning Muzamir Milundi Katumba regarding land belonging to Kamyokya KCCA Primary School.
Bail Hearing Adjourned to November 17
Following the plea, the prosecution requested an adjournment as investigations remain ongoing. In response, Mr. Bautu formally applied for his client’s release on bail, presenting four proposed sureties complete with local council documentation.
State prosecutors opposed an immediate bail hearing, requesting additional time to verify the authenticity of the documents provided by the sureties before filing a formal response.
This request drew sharp criticism from Mr. Bautu, who accused the state of using verification delays as a tactic to keep accused persons in custody.
“It has become a practice by prosecutors to claim that they intend to verify documents such as LC1 letters even when it is not necessary. It is an attempt to ensure that the accused are always remanded in order to achieve their target. This practice is wrong,” Mr. Bautu argued, noting that the defense had uploaded all necessary documentation onto the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS). He requested interim bail while verification took place.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Neumbe acknowledged that the right to apply for bail is constitutionally guaranteed, but affirmed that the prosecution is entitled to a reasonable timeframe to verify sureties.
The magistrate rejected the defense’s prayer for interim bail, noting that such relief is not provided for under the Magistrates Courts Rules, citing that interim bail has previously only been considered by the High Court under exceptional circumstances, such as in the case of Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Chief Magistrate Neumbe remanded Kushaba to prison until November 17, 2026, when her formal bail application will be heard.
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