By Our Reporter
Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi to Luzira Prison over charges of hate speech and malicious information arising from statements allegedly made against senior judicial officers.
Mabirizi, who was arrested on Tuesday, was on Wednesday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa. The charges, relating to hate speech and the publication of malicious information, were read to him in connection with alleged remarks targeting High Court judge Musa Ssekaana and the newly appointed Chief Justice, Dr Flavian Zeija.
Prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Joan Keko, assisted by Richard Birivumbuka, told court that in January 2026, while in various locations including Kampala and Wakiso District, Mabirizi used his TikTok account (@MaleMabirizi) to make statements describing the Chief Justice as a “conman, fraudster and corrupt individual.” The State further alleges that he claimed Dr Zeija sold personal property to raise money to bribe his way into appointment as Principal Judge, and referred to him as a “court file grabber.”
The prosecution also alleges that Mabirizi made similar statements about Justice Musa Ssekaana, describing him as a conman and fraudster—remarks the State says are false and likely to ridicule, degrade and demean the judge.
Proceedings were briefly disrupted when Mabirizi declined to take plea, stating that he was personally acquainted with the presiding chief magistrate and had unresolved issues with her. After consulting his lawyers, led by Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, he later agreed to take plea.
Mabirizi denied all the charges.
The chief magistrate remanded him to Luzira Prison until February 18, when he is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
This is the latest in a series of legal troubles involving the outspoken lawyer, whose public statements—particularly on social media—have frequently attracted controversy and judicial scrutiny.