Kampala, Uganda: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn all charges of hate speech and malicious communication against former Rubaga and Nakawa Deputy RCC, Herbert Anderson Burora, days after he won the NRM party flag for Nakawa West MP seat in the forthcoming 2026 elections.
Burora, who had been facing six counts stemming from a series of social media posts targeting Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, walked free on Wednesday after Chief State Attorney Joan Keko presented a nolle prosequi before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi.
“The DPP, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has withdrawn charges of hate speech and malicious information against the accused, Anderson Herbert Burora. I hereby tender in the nolle prosequi dated July 1,” Ms Keko told court.
“Nolle prosequi,” a Latin legal term meaning “not to wish to prosecute,” refers to a prosecutor’s decision to discontinue a criminal case before trial or verdict. It’s a type of prosecutorial discretion, essentially a motion to dismiss that allows the prosecutor to drop the charges.
Burora was accused of using his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @harderHB, to publish posts between March and June 2024 describing Speaker Among as a “torturer, murderer, kidnapper, and corrupt official,” claims prosecutors said could incite public hostility and ridicule.
The surprise withdrawal follows a sworn affidavit from Among’s aide, Mr Rajab Kaaya Semalulu, confirming that the Speaker had chosen to forgive Burora and would no longer pursue the matter in any court of law.
“As a national leader who pursues peace and justice, she has decided to instruct me to act for her and have the case withdrawn,” said Semalulu, denying any intimidation or political coercion behind the Speaker’s decision.
Chief Magistrate Kayizzi also ordered the refund of Burora’s Shs5 million cash bail.
In a statement following the ruling, Burora described the ordeal as “a year as a victim of conscience,” adding that the charges were politically motivated but ultimately vindicated his cause.
“In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot,” Burora declared, adding, “I’ve had a sickening 1 year that could have left me under the rubble. But some people are like seeds; they are buried to germinate. In our business, you need people to stay afloat.”
He thanked unnamed supporters and vowed to continue advocating for justice and service delivery. “We’ve got much battles to win, we shall continue to pursue justice without shedding blood. We now have a bigger task ahead to bring home the Constituency. Let’s focus on this win too.”
Burora’s legal woes coincided with growing tensions inside the ruling party over candidate vetting and digital activism. He has been an outspoken critic of corruption and impunity, particularly targeting Parliament and high-ranking officials.
Political observers now link the DPP’s timing to Burora’s recent surge in political momentum. After enduring a months-long battle with the NRM secretariat and party leadership, Burora emerged victorious in the Nakawa West primary contest, setting an unprecedented 2026 battle against NUP’s incumbent MP Joel Ssenyonyi.
Critics are already questioning whether the withdrawal of the charges reflects a calculated political pardon to allow Burora to focus on consolidating his parliamentary bid, or just an out-of-will move by the Speaker to free the former RCC.
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