Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose Charged Over ‘False Death’ Report on Janet Museveni, Remanded to Luzira Prison
KAMPALA, Uganda — Digital Talk journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose has been charged with publishing false and distressing information regarding the alleged death of First Lady Janet Museveni and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Mukose was arrested over the weekend shortly after appearing on a radio talk show at Metro FM. Security operatives, reportedly attached to the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT), later conducted a search at his residence in Lukuli-Nanganda before detaining him at Old Kampala Police Division.
On Monday, Mukose appeared before Grade One Magistrate Ivan Maloba at the Law Development Centre Court. The prosecution, led by Rachel Namutebi, told the court that between March 26 and 29, Mukose and others still at large allegedly published false information on the Digital Talk platform claiming that the First Lady had died.
According to the charge sheet, Mukose knowingly transmitted or caused the publication of a false and distressing message, an act said to contravene provisions of the Uganda Communications Commission Act 2019, specifically Section 110(e), which prohibits the dissemination of false information.
Mukose denied the charges. His legal team, Kato Tumusiime and Kakulu Tumusiime, applied for bail, which was initially granted by the court. However, the prosecution requested additional time to verify the credentials of the sureties, including their residences and national identity documents.
The court granted the request and adjourned the case to April 14, 2026. Mukose was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison pending completion of the verification process.
The case highlights ongoing concerns by authorities over the spread of misinformation, particularly on digital platforms, and enforcement of laws regulating online and broadcast content in Uganda.
