TikToker Ibrahim Musana, popularly known as Pressure 247, has been granted mandatory bail after spending about five months on remand over alleged offensive content concerning Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
READ: TikToker Pressure 24/7 charged with hate speech against Muhoozi
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday ruled that Musana had stayed on remand well beyond the 60-day constitutional threshold without his trial commencing.
Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo, delivering the ruling on behalf of Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, said the court was satisfied that the delay in bringing the case to trial was not caused by Musana.
Under Article 23(6)(b) of the Constitution, an accused person who has spent 60 days on remand without trial is entitled to apply for mandatory bail.
“The applicant is entitled to be released on bail, and the only matter falling for the court’s determination is the terms on which that release should be granted,” Magistrate Achayo said.
The court set Musana’s cash bail at Shs1 million and ordered him to provide two substantial sureties. Each surety will be required to sign a non-cash bond of Shs5 million.
The sureties must also provide proof of a fixed and verifiable place of residence or employment within the court’s jurisdiction.
As part of the conditions, Musana will surrender his National Identity Card and present an introductory letter from his LC1 chairperson.
He has also been warned against contacting or interfering with Gen Muhoozi, witnesses or investigations related to the case, either directly or through other people.
The bail ruling does not, however, mean Musana is walking out of Luzira immediately.
He will remain in custody until his sureties have been vetted and approved and all the required documentation and payments have been completed.
Musana’s troubles began after he was accused of publishing content on his TikTok account, @pressure247, concerning Gen Muhoozi.
Prosecution alleges that on March 5, 2026, at Asante Apartments in Kyanja, Nakawa Division, Musana obtained and processed a photograph and the name of Gen Muhoozi without his consent.
He is also accused of publishing content claiming that Muhoozi was unfit to serve as Chief of Defence Forces, which the prosecution says was intended to ridicule, degrade or demean the army chief.
He faces charges of unlawfully obtaining or processing personal data under Section 35 of the Data Protection and Privacy Act and hate speech under Section 26 of the Computer Misuse Act.
Musana was remanded in March after the charges were sanctioned. His case was subsequently mentioned several times without the trial starting, with prosecution attributing the delays to administrative issues surrounding the movement of the case file between Police Headquarters and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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His lawyer, Yasin Ssentumbwe Munagomba, formally raised the mandatory bail application on July 22 and argued it before court on August 5.
State Attorney Grace Amy did not oppose his release but asked the court to impose conditions that would ensure Musana returns for subsequent proceedings.
Musana is expected back in court on September 9, when the case will come up for further proceedings.
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