KAMPALA: Satirical writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who has been charged with insulting President Museveni and his first son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has been granted bail by the court.
Kakwenza was on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, granted bail by Buganda Road Court where he appeared via video link from prison.
The frail-looking Kakwenza, who listened to his bail ruling while seated, was asked to pay cash of Shs500,000 and asked to surrender his passport.
He was also barred from speaking to the press, with Magistrate Douglas Singiza warning him that he risks cancellation of bail should he break this condition.
Magistrate Singiza also ordered the state prosecutors to complete their enquiries into the case by Friday and be ready to state their position at the next hearing on February 1.
At Tuesday’s hearing, diplomats from the United States and the European Union were present.
Rukirabashaija was charged on January 11 with “disturbing” veteran President Yoweri Museveni and his powerful son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a series of unflattering Twitter posts.
He is accused of using his Twitter handle, @KakwenzaRukira, to allegedly disturb the peace of President Yoweri Museveni together with his son, Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with no purpose for legitimate communication.