Police investigations into alleged fake news publications targeting Kampala’s political leadership have resulted in the arrest and court appearance of TikTok content creator Susan Kushaba, who has been charged with three counts relating to allegations against senior government officials and a businessman.
Kushaba, who operates a TikTok account is accused of publishing videos between January and October 2026 containing allegations against Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda Nabbengo, State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye, and businessman Muzamir Milundi Katumba.
In another count, she is accused of alleging that Kyofatogabye misappropriated money reportedly collected from boda boda riders and taxi operators in Kampala.
The third allegation concerns businessman Katumba, whom she allegedly accused of grabbing land on which Kamwokya KCCA Primary School is situated.
The prosecution alleges that the publications were made in different locations, including Mukono and Wakiso districts.
The charges were presented by Chief State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi and Grace Amy, while Kushaba denied all three counts when they were read to her in court.
Her lawyers, led by Robert Bautu, subsequently applied for bail and presented four proposed sureties to secure her release.
However, the prosecution requested more time to verify the documents submitted in support of the bail application before responding.
Bautu objected to the delay, arguing that the sureties’ documents had already been uploaded onto the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
He urged Chief Magistrate Neumbe to grant his client interim bail as the prosecution completed its verification, warning against what he described as a practice of unnecessarily prolonging the detention of accused persons through repeated requests for document verification.
The magistrate declined the request, ruling that the prosecution was entitled to reasonable time to verify the sureties.
She said she was not satisfied that all the documents submitted the previous day had been verified and subsequently remanded Kushaba until November 17.
Beyond the criminal proceedings, the allegations raise questions about the management of Kampala and the institutional responsibilities of the political and administrative leadership accused in the publications.
Under the Kampala Capital City Act, the Minister responsible for Kampala has powers to supervise, guide, monitor and coordinate the governance of the city. The Minister can also issue policy and development directives to KCCA and, under specified circumstances, veto decisions considered illegal.
The Executive Director, on the other hand, is the chief executive and accounting officer of KCCA, responsible for administration, management of public funds, implementation of government and council policies, and coordination of projects and programmes.
The KCCA Council remains the governing body of the Authority and has responsibilities that include reviewing and approving budget proposals submitted by the Executive Director.
This means that allegations involving city projects, land management, revenue collection and public expenditure cannot be properly examined without considering the institutional responsibilities, approval processes and documentary records held by the relevant offices.
For instance, claims concerning money allegedly collected from boda boda riders and taxi operators would require scrutiny of the applicable collection arrangements, authorised revenue channels, financial records and accountability mechanisms.
Similarly, allegations concerning the land on which Kamwokya KCCA Primary School stands would require examination of land ownership records, acquisition documents, development approvals and the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.
The fact that the accused officials occupy senior positions in Kampala’s administration does not automatically establish their involvement in any alleged wrongdoing. Equally, the fact that they are responsible for overseeing aspects of city administration makes their offices and the decisions taken under their authority relevant to any credible investigation.
The allegations therefore raise a wider question of accountability: whether the claims circulating on social media are supported by documentary evidence, or whether they amount to unsubstantiated accusations against public officials.
The prosecution has brought the charges under Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act, relating to sending false distress signals.
However, the specific particulars of each count, the evidence relied upon by the prosecution and how the alleged publications meet the legal requirements of the charges will be matters for determination by court.
Kushaba has denied all three charges and remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 17, when the case is expected to return for further proceedings.
