Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded former Rubaga Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Anderson Herbert Burora, to Luzira Prison. Burora faces charges of hate speech and malicious misinformation under the Computer Misuse Act.
If convicted of these offences, a person could be fined up to seven hundred and fifty currency points or face imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.
On Wednesday 3, July 2024 afternoon, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi read the charges to Burora, who pleaded not guilty in a packed courtroom.
The court heard that from March to June 2024, Burora used his “Harder HB” account on X to share information intended to ridicule, degrade, or promote hostility against Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among. The prosecution also claimed Burora disseminated malicious information about Among during the same period.
State Attorneys Richard Birivumbuka, Joan Keko, and Ivan Kyazze, representing the prosecution, informed the court that investigations were ongoing.
Burora’s defense team, comprising seven lawyers including Phillip Munaabi, David Kamukama, and Benjamin Katana, argued that the charges should be dismissed due to a defective charge sheet. They claimed the sheet did not specify the statements that constituted hate speech or malicious information.
The defense referenced the case of Dr. Stella Nyanzi, where the charges were clearly detailed, unlike in Burora’s case. Phillip Munaabi requested Burora’s release until a properly drafted charge sheet was presented.
However, Prosecutor Birivumbuka requested an adjournment to address the defense’s submissions. Burora’s lawyers countered that if the prosecution was unprepared, their client should be released in the interim.
Despite the defense’s arguments, Chief Magistrate Kayizzi ruled that the legality of the charge sheet needed to be resolved before proceeding. Consequently, Burora was remanded until July 9th, 2024.
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Burora’s troubles began in March 2024, when he started posting accusations of corruption against Speaker Among on social media. This led to his suspension on March 14th, 2024, by Hajji Yunus Kakande, pending investigations. Burora was directed to hand over his duties to the Deputy RCC for Kampala Central.
The suspension letter indicated Burora had continued making public statements on social media despite official advice, violating Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2021). After a 28-day suspension, Burora resigned on March 18th, 2024, citing his conscience.
Burora announced his resignation on X, emphasizing his commitment to service over his position. He reflected on his five years and five months of service, stating he always acted in the best interests of the President.
Burora’s case follows a similar incident where Tiktoker Ibrahim Musana, known as Pressure 24/7, was remanded for promoting hate speech against Speaker Among, President Museveni, and the Kabaka of Buganda before being released.
