KAMPALA, Uganda — Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court remanded lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi on Tuesday on charges of computer misuse following a heated courtroom exchange in which he challenged the presiding magistrate’s impartiality.
Mabirizi faces four counts under the Computer Misuse Act, including malicious information and hate speech. The charges stem from statements allegedly made on his TikTok account targeting Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and Court of Appeal Justice Musa Ssekaana.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, Mabirizi refused to enter a formal plea, citing objections to the court’s jurisdiction and the magistrate’s personal background.
“I am unable to take plea. I object to your participation, jurisdiction,” Mabirizi said. He further alleged a conflict of interest, claiming he had previously filed complaints against Kidasa with the Judicial Service Commission and citing her personal relationships as a basis for recusal.
Kidasa dismissed the remarks and urged the defendant to maintain decorum.
“It’s not a personal matter,” Kidasa said. “I will not go back and forth with you. I ask that you respect me.”
Defense attorney Anthony Asiimwe requested a brief recess to consult with Mabirizi, which was opposed by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka. The magistrate allowed a two-minute consultation. When the charges were read again, Mabirizi described them as “false and unconstitutional.”
State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that investigations are nearly complete. While Mabirizi’s legal team applied for bail, the court noted that the necessary documents had not been uploaded to the Electronic Court Case Management Information System.
Kidasa remanded Mabirizi until Feb. 18, when the court will hear his bail application.
