Susan Kushaba in Court Over Fraud and Land-Grabbing Accusations Against Kampala Ministers
Former Owino Market leader and unsuccessful Kampala Central parliamentary candidate Susan Kushaba faces three criminal charges following allegations she made against senior government officials and another individual on TikTok.
KAMPALA, November 5, 2026 — Susan Kushaba, a former leader of Kampala’s Owino Market, has been charged before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court over statements in which she allegedly accused government ministers and another individual of fraud, land grabbing and financial misconduct.
Kushaba appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa Neumbe on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to three counts of sending false distress signals under Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act.
The charges follow months of public disagreements involving Kushaba and Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, including confrontations over market administration and the Kampala Central parliamentary election.
According to prosecutors Allan Macunguzi and Grace Amy, the alleged offences occurred between January and October 2026 during appearances on a TikTok account known as The Investigator.
Three Individuals Named in Criminal Proceedings
The prosecution alleges that Kushaba made statements accusing Minister Minsa Kabanda of fraud and land grabbing.
In a separate allegation, Kushaba reportedly described State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye as a fraudster and accused him of embezzling money collected from boda boda riders and taxi operators in Kampala.
The third count concerns Muzamiru Katumba Mirundi, whom Kushaba allegedly accused of taking possession of land belonging to Kamwokya KCCA Primary School.
The accusations against the three individuals have not been established by a court, and Kushaba’s criminal liability also remains undetermined.
Prosecutors informed the court that investigations were continuing and requested an adjournment. The case was subsequently listed for a bail hearing.
From Market Leadership to Criminal Prosecution
Kushaba previously served as interim chairperson of St Balikuddembe Market, commonly known as Owino Market, one of Kampala’s largest commercial trading centres.
Her period in market leadership was marked by disagreements with government officials over administration and management.
Among the most prominent disputes was her longstanding disagreement with Minister Kabanda, which subsequently extended into electoral politics.
The two contested the Kampala Central parliamentary seat in January 2026, with Kabanda declared the winner on the National Resistance Movement ticket.
Kushaba’s political activities have also included association with the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political organisation linked to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
She previously questioned Kabanda’s ability to mobilise political support for Muhoozi in Kampala, linking her criticism to the disputed political standing of the minister.
These disagreements provide important background to the prosecution, although no judicial finding has established that the criminal case was motivated by electoral rivalry.
Police Investigation Preceded Court Appearance
The criminal proceedings followed an earlier police summons requiring Kushaba to report to the Criminal Investigations Directorate at Kampala’s Central Police Station on November 2.
The summons, dated October 31, concerned allegations of publishing false information and sending a false distress signal.
At the time, the communication did not publicly identify the specific statements being investigated.
Kushaba subsequently questioned aspects of the police process on social media.
Her appearance before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has now formally placed three specific allegations before the judiciary.
Public Accusations Face Judicial Scrutiny
The case draws attention to the legal consequences that may arise when allegations of criminal misconduct are communicated through social media.
Accusations of fraud, embezzlement and land grabbing are serious matters, particularly when directed at identifiable individuals.
However, the criminal proceedings must distinguish between the publication of an accusation, the truth or falsity of that accusation and whether the communication satisfies the legal elements of the offence charged.
The prosecution will be required to establish its case through admissible evidence, while Kushaba retains the right to challenge the allegations and present a defence.
Her plea of not guilty means the accusations remain contested.
Court to Determine Next Steps
With investigations still underway, further proceedings are expected to address bail and the prosecution’s evidence.
The case represents a significant legal development for Kushaba following her involvement in market leadership, political activism and the Kampala Central parliamentary contest.
It also places her public statements under formal judicial examination, with the court expected to determine whether the alleged communications constitute criminal offences under Ugandan law.
No conviction has been reported, and the presumption of innocence continues to apply.
