Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has dismissed a case against radio journalist Frank Bwekumbule and two Masaka-based TikTokers who had been accused by State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere of spreading malicious information.
The three had been facing charges of impersonation and hate speech in a case arising from allegations concerning information circulated about Nameere.
However, the court dismissed the matter for want of prosecution after Nameere reportedly failed to appear for six consecutive court hearings.
Presiding Magistrate Primer Kyomugisha also ordered police to return gadgets that had been confiscated from the accused persons during the course of the case.
The ruling brings an end to the case at the magistrate’s court, unless any further legal action is taken.
The accused persons’ lawyer, Pius Kabiswa Kiryowa, welcomed the decision, arguing that the case had infringed on his clients’ rights to freedom of the press and expression.
The dismissal comes as Nameere continues to face another legal battle at the High Court in Masaka, where former NUP candidate Rose Nalubowa is challenging her election as Masaka City Woman MP. The High Court recently admitted video evidence in that separate election petition and adjourned proceedings to September 30 and October 1.
The two matters are separate, with the latest dismissal relating to the criminal case involving Bwekumbule and the two TikTokers.
UPDATE: Masaka Chief Magistrate Court has dismissed the case in which State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere accused a journalist and two TikTokers of spreading malicious information. Radio journalist Frank Bwekumbule and two Masaka-based TikTokers had been facing… pic.twitter.com/a8nd12RBLG
— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) September 24, 2026