Journalist Remmy Asiteza is finally out of the time long detention where he has been held since August 13 this year on alleged charges of publishing fake news and broadcasting without a license.
Asiteza was released on bail by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Rita Neumbe Kidasa on Monday October 26, following a spirited advocacy and fight by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) and a team of lawyers from the Adalet Advocates and Uganda Law Society (ULS).
According to the charge sheet, Asiteza and others at large between 7 th and 8 th July 2026 published a news story to wit, an article with title; Museveni Orders ISO to Probe into Billions Swindled Under Assistant RDCs Recruitment Scheme, where it was stated that the Hon. minister Milly Babalanda is corrupt and was involved in a scandal under recruitment of Assistant RDCs.
It further stated that Asiteza and others at large between 7 th and 8 th of the same month and year in the Kampala district or thereabout did broadcast via website Daily express.co.ug without a license issued by the Uganda Communications Commission, which he all denied.
Delivering her ruling, Magistrate Kidasa observed that the offenses were bailable and have no serious punishment.
Kidasa added that all Asiteza’s sureties were substantial with fixed places of abode, thus granting him a cash bail of 500, 000 Uganda shillings, while his sureties ordered to pay 5 million shillings non-cash in case he went missing.
She however warned the accused journalist never to interfere with the ongoing state investigations and regularly attend court, as some of the stringent terms requested by the prosecution to be attached on it.
The matter was adjourned to December 14 when it will be coming up again for further hearing.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Commended.
Speaking shortly after the court session, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) secretary general Emmanuel Kirunda thanked lawyers for working tirelessly and passionately to ensure that Asiteza secures his temporary freedom on bail.
“The lawyers have done a good job for us, whenever UJA approached them regarding how to lay a plan aimed at salvaging Asiteza’s right to press freedom they never relented”, Kirunda said.
Kirunda commended the International press freedom watchdog; the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for amplifying the concerns against the Uganda media landscape, in addition to calling upon the authorities to create cordial working relationship with journalists.
The Uganda Journalists Association secretary general also called upon the authorities to heighten protection and safety mechanisms for the journalists.
He further thanked the members of Asiteza family and friends for maintaining solidarity with him ever since he was arrested and jailed at Luzira prison.
Asiteza was arrested under a joint operation mounted by the security operatives from the CMI and State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in connection to his Daily Express online news website published article implicating the minister for presidency Milly Babalanda in irregular recruitment process of RDCs and their Assistants.
His release was a sign of relief to his family members and media fraternity. It came at the time when the Alternative Digitalk journalist Anord Anthony Mukose has just been released on bail following the resurrection of the state charges of publication of information sending wrong signals concerning the death of first lady Janet Museveni, which he also denied. He had first been slapped with the charges in March which were dropped in August before his re arrest earlier this month that culminated into its restitution
