Kampala: Former Owino Market leader and political activist Susan Kushaba has been remanded to Luzira Prison following her appearance before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court over social media statements allegedly targeting senior Kampala government officials.

Kushaba was remanded on Thursday, November 5, after denying three counts of sending false distress signals contrary to Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act.

The charges stem from statements she allegedly published on a TikTok account known as The Investigator between January and October 2026, in which she reportedly made accusations against Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye and other individuals.

According to the prosecution, led by Allan Macunguzi and Grace Amy, Kushaba allegedly accused Kabanda of fraud and land grabbing. She is also accused of describing Kyofatogabye as a fraudster and alleging that he misappropriated money collected from boda boda riders and taxi operators.

In another allegation, the prosecution claims that Kushaba linked Muzamiru Katumba Mirundi to the alleged grabbing of land belonging to Kamwokya KCCA Primary School.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and Kushaba has denied the charges. The court will therefore be required to determine whether the statements attributed to her constitute the offences alleged by the prosecution.

Kushaba’s legal troubles come against the backdrop of a long-running public disagreement with Kabanda, particularly over matters concerning the management of St Balikuddembe Market, popularly known as Owino Market, where Kushaba previously served in a leadership position.

Their differences later extended into elective politics when the two contested the Kampala Central parliamentary seat in the January 2026 elections. Kabanda, who stood on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, won the race, while Kushaba failed to secure a parliamentary seat.

Despite losing the election, Kushaba remained vocal on Kampala political and administrative affairs, frequently using social media to criticise government officials and raise concerns about issues affecting the city.

During Thursday’s court proceedings, Kushaba’s lawyers applied for her release on bail. However, the prosecution reportedly asked the court for more time to verify documents presented by her proposed sureties.

The court declined to grant her immediate release and ordered that she be remanded to Luzira Prison as the matter awaits further proceedings.

Her bail application is expected to come up for consideration on November 17, 2026.

Kushaba’s remand does not amount to a conviction, and she remains presumed innocent until proven guilty or until she enters a plea of guilty before a competent court.

The case places renewed attention on the intersection between social media commentary and the law, particularly where online publications contain allegations of criminal conduct against identifiable individuals.

For Kushaba, who has built a public profile through outspoken criticism of Kampala’s political leadership, the proceedings mark a significant legal challenge, with the court now expected to examine the allegations forming the basis of the charges.