news 5 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Journalist Arnold Mukose Released on Shs5M Bail in Fake Janet Museveni Death Hoax Case
After over a month in custody, journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose has been granted Shs5 million cash bail by a Kampala court for charges related to spreading false reports of First Lady Janet Museveni's death. The court set May 18, 2026, as the next hearing date. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/journalist-mukose-granted-bail-in-fake-janet-museveni-death-report-case-5447512
Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose, aged 41, walked free on Tuesday after Grade One Magistrate Ivan Maloba at the Law Development Centre Court in Kampala approved his bail application.
Mukose had been held since early April on remand, facing three charges including broadcasting fake news and sending false distress signals. He posted Shs5 million cash bail, with sureties each bonded at Shs50 million non-cash, which the magistrate deemed substantial and appropriate for the bailable offenses.
The accusations center on content published between January 26 and March 29, 2026, via the Alternative Digitalk Channel online platform, falsely claiming the death of First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni. This violated Regulation 110(e) of the Uganda Communications Commission (Licensing) Regulations, 2019, and Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act.
Prosecutor Racheal Namutebi confirmed that investigations are complete, prompting the court to schedule a hearing for May 18, 2026.
Mukose’s late March arrest by plain-clothed security operatives after a talk show in Old Kampala drew backlash from media groups and the Uganda Law Society, who demanded his release. The incident underscores rising worries about online misinformation and stricter rules on digital content in Uganda.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)