The legal dispute between Herbert Anderson Burora, the former Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Rubaga Division, and Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among is set to proceed to trial after attempts to settle the hate speech case out of court have failed.
In a court session on Wednesday, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi announced that the case will now be heard in full after Burora informed the court that negotiations between him and Among had broken down. Burora indicated that he had made all efforts to reach a resolution but had now reached an impasse. As a result, he requested that the prosecution present its evidence so he could prepare his defense.
Kayizzi subsequently scheduled the case for hearing on May 7, 2025. Senior State Attorney Ivan Kyazze is representing the prosecution in this matter.
Burora is facing several charges related to hate speech and the spread of malicious information. He stands accused of six counts of publishing offensive content that disparages Speaker Among. The charges stem from allegations that between March and June 2024, Burora used his social media account, specifically his X handle (@HarderHB), to circulate damaging statements about Among, accusing her of being involved in various crimes such as torture, murder, kidnapping, and corruption. Prosecutors argue that these statements were made with the intent to undermine her reputation and provoke hostility toward her.
Burora has denied all allegations and remains out on bail while awaiting trial.
The charges against Burora stem from a series of critical posts he made in March 2024, where he condemned corruption in Parliament, particularly accusing Among of being involved in corrupt activities. These posts triggered a response from government officials, leading to Burora’s suspension from his position as Deputy RCC on March 14, 2024. In a letter from Hajji Yunus Kakande, Burora was informed that his suspension would allow time for an investigation into the matter. The letter further cited Burora’s violation of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2021), as he continued to make public statements on social media despite official advice to refrain from doing so.
After a suspension period of 28 days, Burora chose to resign on March 18, 2024, citing personal reasons and a desire to maintain his integrity.
