A Law Development Centre Magistrate’s Court has dismissed all charges against Alternative Digital journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose, who had been accused of falsely announcing the death of First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni.

Grade One Magistrate Ivan Maloba dismissed the case on Monday after the prosecution failed to present witnesses, produce the police file or comply with an earlier court directive to amend the charge sheet.

Mukose had been facing two charges arising from allegations that he sent false distress signals concerning the First Lady and broadcast information that was allegedly false. The prosecution had linked the charges to provisions of the Uganda Communications Act and regulations governing electronic communications.

The case returned to court on Monday for further proceedings after Mukose’s defence had previously raised objections concerning aspects of the charge sheet, including questions about the court’s jurisdiction.

Following the defence’s objections, the prosecution had been directed to amend the charge sheet before the matter could proceed. However, when the case came up for hearing, the State was reportedly unable to provide the amended document.

State prosecutor Rachael Namutebi told court that she did not have the amended charge sheet or the police file. She reportedly explained that she had recently returned from leave and asked the magistrate to exercise his discretion on how the matter should proceed.

The prosecution’s position prompted the defence to ask the court to bring the case to an end. Mukose’s lawyer, Morgan Muhindo, who was holding brief for Kato Tumusiime, argued that the State had failed to demonstrate that it was ready to proceed with the case.

The defence further pointed out that the prosecution had previously indicated that investigations had been completed. Despite that position, however, the State had reportedly not presented witnesses to support the allegations against Mukose.

Muhindo also argued that the prosecution had failed to comply with the court’s earlier order requiring the charge sheet to be amended. According to the defence, the continued delay had caused Mukose considerable inconvenience.

The lawyer therefore asked the magistrate to dismiss the case rather than allow the proceedings to continue indefinitely without witnesses, the police file or the required amended charge sheet.

Magistrate Maloba subsequently dismissed the charges for want of prosecution. The decision effectively freed Mukose from the case, unless he is being held on another matter.

Mukose had previously spent time on remand before being granted cash bail of Shs5 million on May 5, 2026. His lawyers had maintained that the offences he faced were bailable.

The allegations against Mukose arose from publications made on the Alternative Digital Channel between January and March 2026. The prosecution alleged that Mukose and other individuals, who remain at large, published information claiming that First Lady Janet Museveni had died.

Mukose denied the allegations brought against him and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

The case attracted public attention because of the high-profile nature of the person at the centre of the alleged reports. Janet Museveni, who is also Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports, had been away from public view for several months, creating speculation about her whereabouts.

The speculation was later put to rest when the First Lady made a public appearance last week. She appeared ahead of the consecration of her daughter, Patience Rwabwogo, as a bishop.

Janet Museveni later attended the consecration ceremony on Sunday together with her husband, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, providing a public appearance after her prolonged absence from major public events.

The court decision means that Mukose will no longer face the charges that arose from the alleged reports about the First Lady’s death, following the prosecution’s failure to move the case forward.

The dismissal was based on want of prosecution, with the magistrate citing the State’s failure to provide key documents and witnesses and its failure to comply with the earlier order concerning the charge sheet.

The case also adds another chapter to Mukose’s legal battles as a journalist. He was among petitioners who successfully challenged several provisions of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, 2022, before the Constitutional Court.

The dismissal is likely to be welcomed by Mukose and his legal team after months of dealing with the criminal proceedings. His lawyers had repeatedly challenged aspects of the prosecution’s case and argued for his release.

For now, Mukose walks away from the case following the magistrate’s decision, although the court’s order does not prevent him from facing separate proceedings if he is subject to other charges.

The development also leaves the allegations concerning the reports about Janet Museveni’s purported death without a trial determination, since the prosecution did not present its witnesses or evidence before the case was dismissed for want of prosecution.