Journalist Timothy Kalyegira charged with broadcasting without licence, remanded to Luzira Prison

Journalist and media commentator Timothy Kalyegira, also known as Nyakahuma, has been charged with two counts of broadcasting without a licence contrary to Section 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103.

Kalyegira, 58, appeared before the Kira Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday after police preferred charges under Criminal Reference Book (CRB) 475/2026 registered at Kira Division Police.

According to the charge sheet, prosecutors allege that between 2013 and 2026, Kalyegira broadcast content through The Kampala Express, described as a video production and media consulting platform, without obtaining a broadcasting licence from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

In a second count, the prosecution alleges that between 2014 and 2026, he similarly operated The Uganda Records, an online publication platform, without a licence issued by the communications regulator.

Police state that the alleged offences were committed in various parts of Uganda, including Kampala and Wakiso districts.

Following his court appearance, Kalyegira was remanded to Luzira Prison and is expected to return to court on July 16, 2026, for further proceedings.

The charges come amid claims by opposition leaders that the journalist had been missing before his arraignment in court.

National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, alleged in a statement posted on X that Kalyegira had been “abducted” and held incommunicado before being formally charged.

“It turns out that journalist and media personality Timothy Kalyegira, who has been missing, was actually abducted, held incommunicado, and is now being arraigned for charging. Simply because he’s been outspoken about Museveni and his son’s crimes,” Kyagulanyi wrote.

He added that the incident underscored what he described as the need for collective action in defending civil liberties.

As of Monday, security agencies had not publicly responded to the allegations regarding Kalyegira’s disappearance before his court appearance.

The Uganda Communications Act requires any person or entity intending to operate a broadcasting service in Uganda to first obtain a licence from the Uganda Communications Commission. Operating a broadcasting service without such authorisation constitutes an offence under the law.

The case is expected to attract public interest given Kalyegira’s prominence as a political commentator and the wider debate over media regulation, freedom of expression and digital publishing in Uganda.