'Alternative Digitalk TV' executive director Norman Tumuhimbise and TV host Faridah Bikobere were released on bail, after being charged with offensive communication and cyberstalking.
This statement was originally published on hrnjuganda.org on 21 March 2022.
A Court at Makindye has this afternoon granted cash bail to two online Alternative Digitalk TV staff, Norman Tumuhimbise (Executive Director) and Faridah Bikobere (TV host). The two were remanded to Luzira Prison on Wednesday 16th March 2022 on charges of offensive communication and cyberstalking, contrary to sections 25 and 26 of the Computer Misuse Act respectively.
The Court, presided over by Makindye Grade 1 Magistrate Tukunda Lorna Patience, granted cash bail of five hundred thousand shillings (UGX 500,000/=) for the accused persons and non-cash bail of twenty million shillings for the sureties. This was after counsel Geoffrey Turyamusiima of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons.
The case was adjourned to 12th April 2022 for hearing.
The prosecution, led by Hope Mutoni, alleges that the duo and others at large, between January 2020 and 9th March 2022 at Lukuli Makindye Division in Kampala district, willfully, maliciously, repeatedly used electronic communication to wit Alternative Digitalk Online Television and relayed offensive information to “wit the politics of kumanyoko, unsowing the mastered seed, liars and accomplices directed against the person of the president of the Republic of Uganda.”
“We are pleased that the duo have been set free. This will enable them to prepare for their trial. We appeal to court to expeditiously hear the case so that Norman and Faridah get justice. Justice delayed is justice denied,” said the HRNJ-Uganda Executive Director Robert Ssempala.
