The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate has denied bail to lawyer Male Mabirizi, ruling that his application failed to meet mandatory legal requirements, particularly the absence of a valid identification document.

In a ruling delivered today, Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa dismissed Mabirizi’s bail request, noting that it did not comply with the Constitutional Bail Guidelines for Courts of Judicature Practice Directions, 2022.

The magistrate emphasized that attaching a copy of a valid national identity card, passport, or other legally recognized identification is mandatory under the law.

Mabirizi faces charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information linked to social media posts allegedly made in January 2026 on TikTok under the account @male.mabirizi.

The prosecution claims he referred to Chief Justice Flavian Zeija as a “crook and conman” and made similar remarks about other justices of the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, intending to ridicule judicial officers publicly.

Mabirizi denies the charges, insisting he was exercising his right to hold public officials accountable.

Chief Magistrate Kidasa outlined the legal framework for bail, citing Section 77 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, which requires consideration of the nature and gravity of the offence, potential punishment, the accused’s antecedents, fixed residence, and the likelihood of interfering with witnesses or evidence.

The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, objected to Mabirizi’s sureties, citing expired identity cards, lack of proof of employment, and failure to demonstrate a fixed residence.

Mabirizi’s legal team, led by Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, indicated they will file a fresh bail application in the High Court and seek revision of the ruling.

Mabirizi is scheduled to appear again at Buganda Road Court on March 20, 2026.

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