Daily Express journalist Asiteza charged, remanded over ‘fake’ news

What the report says

The Observer reports that Daily Express journalist Remmy Asiteza has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged in Kampala with publishing fake news and running a broadcasting service without a licence. The 32-year-old appeared before Buganda Road chief magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa on Thursday after a week in police custody at Kampala Central Police Station. Court set a further mention for September 9, 2026, while investigators continue their work.

According to the charge sheet cited by the newspaper, police allege that Asiteza and others still at large published an article on the Daily Express website between July 7 and 8, 2026. The story, which referenced an investigation order linked to President Yoweri Museveni, is alleged to have falsely portrayed minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda as corrupt and involved in a recruitment scandal involving assistant resident district commissioners. Asiteza denied the accusations, The Observer said.

Prosecutors also say the Daily Express website operated as a broadcasting platform without a licence from the Uganda Communications Commission. State Attorney Joan Keko told court that inquiries were ongoing. The report places the case in a broader pattern of recent legal action against journalists and digital content creators in Uganda over online publications and licensing issues, though the details of those other cases are separate from Asiteza’s matter.