Veteran Journalist and political commentator Timothy Kalyegira who has been missing since Friday last week, has resurfaced today and has been charged with computer misuse at Kira Chief Magistrates Court.
Kalyegira’s disappearance on Friday, which was his birthday raised concern amongst his neighbours and family in Butenga Estate, in Kira municipality, Wakiso District.
Human rights lawyer Tumusiime Kato, who was present at the court, confirmed that Kalyegira had been charged with offences under the Computer Misuse Act linked to content allegedly published on his X account.
“Colleagues, @TimKalyegira is now at Kira Magistrates Court on charges related to Computer Misuse. We should all stand in solidarity with him,” Kato posted on X.
Kalyegira has been charged with two counts of broadcasting without a license contrary to section 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103.
Prosecution told court that Kalyegira Timothy alias Nyakahuma, between 2013 and 2026, at various areas in Uganda including Kampala and Wakiso Districts or thereabout, did broadcast via The Kampala Express, a video Production and media consulting platform, without a license issued by the Uganda Communications Commission.
In the second count, prosecution told court that Kalyegira Timothy alias Nyakahuma, between 2014 and 2026, at various areas in Uganda including Kampala and Wakiso Districts or thereabout, did broadcast via The Uganda Records, an online publication platform, without a license issued by the Uganda Communications Commission.
Timothy kalyegira’s last post on his X account was on June 25th, in which he hinted that if the people with the solution to Uganda’s current political and constitutional crisis, wanted to, they would end the crazy impunity.
“The people with the solution to Uganda’s current political and constitutional crisis know themselves. They directly or indirectly sustain more than three-quarters of the country’s economy. If they wanted to end the crazy impunity, they would do so with a few simple decisions” he posted.
Kalyegira is well-known for his sharp political analysis and commentary on governance, security, and current affairs.
The charge of computer misuse, comes barely three months after the Constitutional Court declared the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022, null and void after Parliament passed the law in violation of constitution.
As a result, only the original 2011 Computer Misuse Act remains applicable for offences such as hacking, unauthorised access, electronic fraud, and other cyber-related crimes.
The controversial law that was passed by Parliament in September 2022 received widespread public criticism and protests from rights groups, journalists, and opposition figures who warned it would be used to gag citizens freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution.
