TikToker remanded over cyberstalking Nabakooba, Atwine

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1155 EAT on Thursday 15 October 2026

A TikToker, Hassan Nsubuga, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over charges of cyber harassment, unlawful obtaining and disclosure of personal data, and cyberstalking involving Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine and Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba.

Nsubuga, 40, a resident of Kisubi in Entebbe Municipality, is accused of using his mobile phone to publish electronic communications on his TikTok account accusing Atwine of stealing ministry funds and contributing to the deterioration of health services, allegedly resulting in the deaths of several Ugandans.

According to the charge sheet, Nsubuga also allegedly accused Nabakooba of misappropriating ministry funds, creating fraudulent land titles and frustrating land-related court cases involving poor people.

He reportedly claimed that the alleged actions had caused suffering among Ugandans. He is further accused of calling on members of the public to rise against Atwine and Nabakooba, arrest them and identify their personal properties for sale.

Prosecutors contend that the statements amounted to threats of physical harm against the two officials and their property.

Nsubuga faces six counts: two of cyber harassment, two of unlawful obtaining and disclosure of personal data, and two of cyberstalking.

The alleged offences were committed in September 2026 in Kampala and its surrounding areas.

Nsubuga denied all the charges when he appeared before City Hall Senior Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire this morning. The cyber harassment and unlawful obtaining and disclosure of personal data charges relate to the alleged publications targeting Atwine and Nabakooba.

The cyberstalking charges accuse Nsubuga of repeatedly using electronic communications to contact, track or harass the two officials, allegedly disturbing or attempting to disturb their peace, quiet or privacy without a legitimate communication purpose.

Court records indicate that the case was initially registered at Kira Road Police Station before being brought to court. Prosecutor Benjamin Amanya told the court that investigations were complete.

Nsubuga applied for bail, citing his constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the court rejected his application, ruling that his proposed sureties were not substantial enough.

The proposed sureties were his friend, Abbey Twaha Kaddu, a shop attendant in Seeta, and his sister, Josephine Namatovu, a shop owner in the same area.

The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Kaddu had no close affiliation with Nsubuga, while Namatovu had not presented a trading licence to prove ownership of the alleged business.

In his ruling, Karakire noted that the sureties lived outside the jurisdiction of the City Hall Magistrate’s Court and had not demonstrated sufficient influence over Nsubuga to ensure his attendance in court whenever required.

The magistrate further observed that the sureties had not adequately established the nature and location of their businesses, details he considered necessary to facilitate their tracing should Nsubuga abscond.

Karakire advised Nsubuga to secure more suitable sureties and reapply for bail if he wished. He was remanded to Luzira Prison until November 5, 2026.

Nsubuga is among several Ugandans who have faced criminal charges over their online communications. About seven years ago, Brian Isiko, then a student at YMCA, was charged with cyberstalking former Kabarole District Woman MP Sylvia Rwabwogo. He was later sentenced to two years in prison.

Other cases include that of former Makerere University academic Dr Stella Nyanzi, who faced charges of offensive communication and cyber harassment, and TikToker Ibrahim Musana, popularly known as Pressure 24/7, who faced allegations of cyber harassment over a series of social media posts targeting the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Minister Joyce Ssebugwawo.

-Observer

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