Nairobi, August 27, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ugandan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Remmy Asiteza, who has been charged with publishing “fake news” in connection to his coverage of corruption allegations in the ministry of the presidency.
Asiteza was
arrested
on August 13 in the capital, Kampala, and appeared in court on August 17, according to Emmanuel Kirunda, secretary general of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), who spoke to CPJ. Asiteza was charged with “publishing fake news” and “broadcasting without a license,” according to a copy of the charge sheet reviewed by CPJ, and
remanded
to Kampala’s Luzira Prison until September 9.
“Remmy Asiteza is the latest Ugandan journalist to find himself behind bars, as authorities weaponize judicial proceedings to punish reporting and commentary on critical, public interest subjects,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities should release Asiteza without delay and encourage, rather than punish, coverage of corruption.”
Prosecutors allege that Asiteza published false information on the news site he runs, Daily Express, which authorities say is unlicensed, in July 7 and July 8 reports alleging corruption in the recruitment of local government officers, according to the charge sheet. Asiteza and others still at large falsely claimed that Uganda’s Minister of the Presidency Milly Babalanda was corrupt, it said
.
The charge sheet cites a July 7
Daily Express report
alleging that Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni had ordered a corruption probe into the recruitment scheme, but did not elaborate on the July 8 reporting associated with the case. Uganda’s
2019 Communications (Licensing) Regulations
stipulates fines of up to 960,000 Ugandan shillings (US$257) and/or imprisonment for up to two years for those convicted of “publishing fake news.”
Asiteza, who denied the charges, appeared at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate C
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