Veteran journalist and political commentator Timothy Kalyegira, popularly known as Nyakahuma, has appeared before the Kira Chief Magistrate’s Court and denied two charges of broadcasting without a licence.
Kalyegira, 58, was arraigned following investigations by Kira Division Police under CRB 475/2026, with prosecutors accusing him of operating online media platforms without authorization from the Uganda Communications Commission.
The Charges
According to the charge sheet filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kalyegira is accused of running two platforms without the mandatory licence.
The first charge relates to The Kampala Express, a video production and media consulting platform prosecutors say operated between 2013 and 2026 without UCC approval.
The second charge concerns The Uganda Records, an online publication platform allegedly operated between 2014 and 2026 without the required licence.
Both charges fall under the Uganda Communications Act, which requires broadcasters to secure authorization before offering broadcasting services.
He Denies The Charges
When presented before court, Kalyegira denied both counts.
Prosecutors have not yet disclosed the evidence they intend to rely on during the trial.
Growing Debate Over Digital Media Regulation
The case has sparked debate in media circles, with journalists and free-expression advocates questioning what the charges could mean for independent online publishers and digital broadcasters in Uganda.
Kalyegira is a well-known commentator who has worked with several media houses over the years and remains active through his online platforms.