KAMPALA, Uganda — A Ugandan court has summoned police investigators and forensic experts to testify in the criminal case against journalist and human rights activist Arnold Anthony Mukose, who is accused of spreading false information about the death of First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni.
Grade One Magistrate Joanita Muwanika of the Law Development Centre (LDC) Magistrate’s Court issued the witness summons on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following proceedings in which the prosecution presented evidence concerning items allegedly recovered from Mukose during a police search.
Mukose faces charges of broadcasting false news and sending false distress signals over allegations that he published information claiming President Yoweri Museveni’s wife had died earlier this year.
Prosecutors allege that between January and March 2026, Mukose and other individuals who remain at large unlawfully circulated the claims through the Alternative Digital Channel, an online platform.
The prosecution contends that the publications were false and caused distress to the First Lady.
Police investigator questioned over recovered evidence
The latest proceedings centred on testimony by detective David Ilukut, a prosecution witness who told the court that he had served in the Uganda Police Force for more than 15 years, including 11 years in the investigations department.
Ilukut testified that investigations into WhatsApp communications allegedly exchanged through phones belonging to other people had established that Mukose recorded and circulated video and audio messages claiming that the First Lady was dead.
He also presented a search certificate documenting items allegedly recovered from Mukose, including his national identity card, an East African passport, an MTN Uganda modem, a black Dell laptop and a small mobile phone without a battery or cover.
According to Ilukut, the recovered items were documented in a search certificate signed by Mukose, his lawyer Kato Tumusiime, local leaders, neighbours and the investigating officer.
He told the court that the items and accompanying documentation were subsequently handed over to Sarah Kataike, who was then the officer in charge of the Old Kampala Criminal Investigations Department (CID), for further examination and guidance.
However, the investigator faced questions from defence lawyers Kato Tumusiime and Simon Peter Esomu over the manner in which the electronic devices were documented.
During cross-examination, Ilukut admitted that he had not recorded the technical specifications of the electronic gadgets recovered during the search.
He said the national identity card and passport were the only items whose details had been documented.
The admission places the handling and documentation of the electronic evidence under scrutiny, particularly as the prosecution relies on alleged digital communications and recordings to support its case.
Court orders forensic experts to testify
Following the admission of the search certificate into evidence, Magistrate Muwanika issued summons requiring the investigating officer and forensic experts to appear before court.
Their testimony is expected to shed further light on the investigations, including the handling, examination and evidential relevance of the electronic devices allegedly recovered from Mukose.
The case was adjourned to December 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm, when the summoned witnesses are expected to testify.
The court’s proceedings will be closely watched because the prosecution’s case involves alleged digital publications, electronic communications and forensic evidence, all of which could be central to determining whether the charges against Mukose are supported by admissible evidence.
Mukose’s arrest, dismissal and reinstatement of the case
Mukose’s prosecution follows a series of arrests and legal developments dating back to March 2026.
He was allegedly abducted by security operatives on March 29 and remained missing before being produced before the LDC Magistrate’s Court on April 1, when the proceedings were initially handled by Magistrate Ivan Maloba.
He was subsequently granted cash bail of Shs5 million on May 5.
However, the case was dismissed on August 24, 2026, for want of prosecution.
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It was later reinstated on October 12 after Mukose reportedly visited Old Kampala Police Station seeking to recover his personal belongings, including items allegedly seized during the earlier incident.
He was reportedly informed that the charges had been re-sanctioned before being arrested and charged again over the same allegations.
Mukose was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison before being released on cash bail of Shs1 million.
Mukose’s history with Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act
The journalist is also among petitioners who successfully challenged several provisions of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, 2022, before the Constitutional Court.
Following the court’s decision, the Attorney General advised security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), against charging suspects under provisions of the law that had been nullified.
The latest prosecution has consequently drawn attention to the intersection of digital communications, criminal liability and freedom of expression in Uganda.
As the case resumes on December 1, the testimony of the investigating officer and forensic experts is expected to provide further insight into how police gathered and examined the electronic evidence underpinning the charges against Mukose.
Mukose remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
