Kampala, Uganda: The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court yet again denied bail to city lawyer Male Mabirizi, arguing that he failed to present a valid national identification card and his proposed sureties produced expired IDs without proof that they had applied for renewal.
The ruling was delivered on Friday by Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, who said the documentation presented by the defence did not meet the requirements necessary for the court to verify the identities and eligibility of the applicant and his sureties.
In her ruling, the magistrate noted that both the accused and his sureties had failed to provide valid identification documents.
The court explained that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) had previously extended the validity of expired national identification cards for one year in 2024 to give citizens time to renew them.
However, the magistrate said that extension expired in 2025, meaning the IDs presented by Mabirizi’s sureties were no longer valid unless there was proof that renewal had been initiated.
Without valid identification documents, the court said it could not properly confirm the identities of the individuals presented as sureties.
Male Mabirizi is currently facing charges of malicious communication and hate speech under Sections 26 and 28 of the Computer Misuse Act (Uganda).
The charges arise from alleged posts he made via his TikTok account targeting Flavian Zeija, the Chief Justice, and Musa Ssekaana, a judge of the High Court, which prosecutors claim constituted offensive communication against judicial officers.
Following the bail denial, Mabirizi’s defence team led by Anthony Asiimwe asked the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of Constitutional Petition No. 24 of 2025 currently 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 global rights standards.
Counsel cited several international legal 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 guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
Additionally, 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 matter has been adjourned to March 20, 2026, when Mabirizi is expected to return to court for further mention of the case.
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