Ugandan Journalist in Trouble for Publishing Fake News That First Lady Janet Museveni is Dead

Ugandan journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose is in trouble for publishing fake news that first lady Janet Museveni is dead. Mukose has been remanded to prison over the charges.

Reportedly abducted by men believed to be security operatives on March 29, 2026, Mukose was brought to court on Wednesday, 01 April 2026.

Mukose appeared before the Law Development Cewntre (LDC) Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala. State prosecution.

According to the charge sheet, Mukose, a male adult aged 41 years, a Musoga, a journalist and resident of Upper Konge Zone of Makindye Division in Kampala District, faces two counts, with the first one being broadcasting fake news contrary to regulation 110(c) of the Uganda Communications Commission (Licensing) Regulations Act 2019.

Prosecution alleges that between January 26, 2026, and March 29, 2026, Mukose and others still at large, “knowingly and unlawfully published fake news on Alternative Digitalk Channel, an online platform, that first lady Janet Kataha Museveni is dead.

For count two, Mukose faces charges of sending false distress signals contrary to section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act Cap 103.

Prosecution alleges that between January 26, 2026, and March 29, 2026, Mukose and others still at large, “knowingly sent, transmitted or caused to be sent or transmitted a false distress signal message that the first lady Janet Kataha Museveni is dead.”

Mukose denied the charges. The magistrate remanded him to prison until April 14, 2026.

Read more about Mukose’s “abduction” as reported Here.

It should be remembered that the Supreme Court of Uganda nullified Section 50 of the Penal Code in the case of Charles Onyango-Obbo and Andrew Mujuni Mwenda v Attorney General (Constitutional Appeal No. 2 of 2002), Section 50 of the Penal Code criminalized publication of false news.

There have been unverified reports on social media, claiming that Janet Museveni was sick.

A minister prayed for Janet Museveni’s good health

Meanwhile, first daughter Pastor Patience Rwabwogo postponed a thanksgiving service for Uganda’s peaceful elections, as reported Here.

Relatedly, there were reports of a Ugandan presidential jet landing in USA, sparking speculation that a government official addressed. (See Details Here).