Herbert Anderson Burora, the contentious former Rubaga Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC), is facing six fresh accusations from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Prosecution on Friday added three charges on each count, for a total of eight, in addition to the original two counts of hate speech and damaging information whereby the accusations are contrary to the Computer Misuse Act.
Burora’s attorneys had earlier contested the charge sheet’s legitimacy, claiming it was flawed since it omitted specific language purported to have denigrated Speaker of the Parliament Anita Among.
The charge sheet was prepared in accordance with Sections 85 and 88 of the Magistrate’s Court Act (MCA), according to trial chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizi, who rejected the arguments made by Burora’s attorneys.
As a result, the state was ordered to amend the charge sheet to include words that constitute hate speech and malicious information.
In addition, Kayiizi accused Burora’s attorneys of employing “a wrong strategy” in pursuing the case, which resulted in his protracted detention.
According to the amended charge sheet presented to court on Friday (for the offence of hate speech), prosecution states that between March 2024 and June 2024 in the areas of Kampala or thereabout- while using a computer via X handle “@HarderHB”, shared information that Among is a torturer, kidnapper, murderer and corrupt, which information is likely to ridicule or degrade or demean and promote hostility against the speaker.”
Burora denied the eight charges slapped against him.
Further, Burora through his lawyers, applied for bail reasoning that he is still presumed innocent until proven guilty, has substantial sureties, a fixed place of abode and charges against him being bailable.
He also cited a likelihood of delay in hearing the matter after the state indicated that investigations are still incomplete.
Prosecution led by Richard Birivubuka asked for two weeks to verify documents presented by the sureties, including the marriage certificate of Burora, company documents and local council letters.
Birivubuka explained that the two weeks would be enough as he has a busy schedule where he has to appear before a panel of justices in the International Crimes Division of the High Court next week.
However, Kayiizi declined to grant the two-week request after a spirited submission by the defence team led by lawyer Bernard Oundo on account that the state’s schedule can never be a limitation for the right to bail.
