COURT (UGNEWSLINE) – The Law Development Centre (LDC) Grade One Magistrate’s Court has summoned an investigating officer and forensic experts to testify in the case against journalist and human rights activist Mukose Arnold Anthony, who is accused of spreading false information claiming that First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni was dead.
The summons were issued by Magistrate Joanita Muwanika after the witnesses failed to appear in court to give their testimony.
The development followed the admission of a search certificate presented by prosecution witness Detective D/AIP David Ilukut, who told court that he had served in the police force for more than 15 years, including 11 years in the investigations department.
Ilukut testified that investigations into the matter involved examining WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged through other people’s phones, which he said linked Mukose to videos and audio recordings claiming that the First Lady had died.
He told court that although he did not obtain a court order to conduct the search, he recovered several items, including Mukose’s National Identity Card, an East African passport, an MTN modem, a black Dell laptop and a small mobile phone without a battery or cover.
According to the detective, all the recovered items were recorded in a search certificate that was signed by Mukose, his lawyer Kato Tumusiime, local leaders, neighbours and the investigating officer.
He said the certificate and the recovered property were subsequently handed over to the then Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department, ASP Sarah Kataike, for further guidance and scrutiny.
However, during cross-examination by defence lawyers Tumusiime and Simon Peter Esomu, Ilukut admitted that he had not recorded the specifications of the recovered electronic gadgets, except those of the National Identity Card and passport.
The case has previously faced several twists, including Mukose’s alleged abduction by security operatives on March 29, 2026, after which he reportedly remained missing for several days before being produced before LDC Court on April 1, 2026.
He was granted cash bail of Shs5 million on May 5, 2026, but the case was dismissed on August 24, 2026, after the prosecution failed to proceed with it.
The matter was reinstated on October 12, 2026, after Mukose reportedly went to Old Kampala Police Station to reclaim his belongings, including items allegedly recovered during his arrest.
He was informed that the case had been re-sanctioned, subsequently arrested and charged afresh with the same offences before being remanded to Luzira Prison. He was later released on a cash bail of Shs1 million.
Magistrate Muwanika adjourned the case to December 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm, when the summoned investigating officer and forensic experts are expected to appear and testify.
