The Uganda Law Society (ULS), under the leadership of its president, Isaac Kimeze Ssemakadde, has taken another legal step in its efforts to challenge the continued detention of lawyer Male Mabirizi.The latest move comes after the society secured a hearing date for its human rights application filed against the Attorney General.
The matter has been assigned to Timothy Lumunye, who has scheduled the hearing for August 25, 2026, at the Law Development Centre Chief Magistrate’s Court.The application seeks to challenge what the Uganda Law Society describes as violations of Mabirizi’s constitutional rights arising from his continued prosecution and detention.The development follows a strongly worded letter written by Mabirizi to Ritah Kidasa Wanyama, accusing her of frustrating his attempts to regain his freedom through repeated rejection of his bail applications.
Mabirizi was arrested in February 2026 and initially charged under provisions of the Computer Misuse Act over allegations that he used his personal social media accounts to publish content allegedly defaming Flavian Zeija and Court of Appeal judge **Musa Ssekaana>.After the Constitutional Court declared the legal provisions under which he had been charged unconstitutional, prosecutors introduced fresh charges accusing him of broadcasting on social media without a broadcasting licence.According to Mabirizi, despite the original charges being affected by the Constitutional Court’s ruling, he remained in custody as the new charges were filed. He has since made several unsuccessful applications for bail.
The lawyer also sought the recusal of Magistrate Kidasa from handling his case, arguing that she could not be impartial because he had previously petitioned the Judicial Service Commission seeking her removal over alleged incompetence.However, the magistrate dismissed the applications seeking her recusal. Mabirizi later initiated private criminal proceedings against her and also filed a case before the East African Court of Justice, alleging violations of his rights.While those legal battles continued, the Uganda Law Society independently filed a human rights application challenging Mabirizi’s continued imprisonment and the legality of the fresh charges brought against him.In its application, the society argues that charging Mabirizi with broadcasting without a licence under the Uganda Communications Act is legally unsustainable because the licensing requirement applies to broadcasters operating television or radio services, not individuals using personal social media platforms.
The application further contends that extending broadcasting licence requirements to personal social media users exceeds the scope of the law and infringes on constitutional protections of freedom of expression.The Uganda Law Society also argues that the prosecution amounts to selective and discriminatory enforcement because the complainants are senior members of the Judiciary, raising concerns about fairness and potential abuse of court processes.According to the application, the continued prosecution of Mabirizi has wider implications beyond his individual case, with the society warning that it could discourage Ugandans from freely expressing themselves on digital platforms.The legal body maintains that the case raises important constitutional questions concerning personal liberty, equal treatment before the law and protection of freedom of speech in Uganda.The society is asking the court to intervene by declaring the prosecution unlawful, protecting Mabirizi’s rights, preventing similar future violations and restoring public confidence in the justice system.The application is expected to be heard on August 25, when both the Uganda Law Society and the Attorney General’s representatives will present their arguments before the court.
