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Lawyer charged, remanded to Luzira over alleged SIM card misuse
Opoloje denied the charge of using another person’s SIM card, contrary to Regulation 29 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024.
Praise Aloikin appearing before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court. (Photo by Sophia Kagoya)
By: Sophia Kagoya, Journalist @New Vision
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A 27-year-old lawyer and activist, Praise Aloikin Opoloje, was on Monday, September 29, 2026, charged before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court with allegedly using another person’s SIM card for an illegal purpose and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Opoloje, a resident of Namungoona in Rubaga Division, Kampala, appeared before Buganda Road Senior Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiiko, who read her the charge.
Opoloje denied the charge of using another person’s SIM card, contrary to Regulation 29 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024.
Praise Aloikin appearing before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court. (Photo by Sophia Kagoya)
The prosecution alleges that in September 2026, in Rubaga and Kampala Central divisions, Opoloje unlawfully used the MTN mobile number 0770-955341, which is registered in the name of Martha Nalapa Tasima, to carry out illegal activities.
The allegations reportedly arose after intelligence and security officers came across information circulating on social media concerning the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Prosecution alleges that the information was published and shared on a social media account associated with Opoloje, alongside photographs of the Chief of Defence Forces and comments, which the prosecution described as offensive.
When the matter came up for hearing, Senior State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi told court that investigations were still ongoing.
The allegations reportedly arose after intelligence and security officers came across information circulating on social media concerning the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Prosecution alleges that the information was published and shared on a social media account associated with Opoloje, alongside photographs of the Chief of Defence Forces and comments, which the prosecution described as offensive.
When the matter came up for hearing, Senior State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi told court that investigations were still ongoing.
Opoloje’s lawyer, Kakuru Tumusiime, told court that the defence had only just been notified that their client had been brought into the case and had not yet accessed the charge sheet and other documents because of difficulties accessing the electronic court system.
Tumusiime asked court to grant him a short adjournment to enable them to access the documents. He alternatively asked the magistrate to stand the matter down briefly so that the documents could be uploaded on the electronic court system once the system became accessible.
Magistrate Jatiiko declined to stand the matter down, saying she was required to attend a meeting, and instead adjourned the case to October 14, 2026.
She directed the defence to upload the relevant documents to enable the prosecution to complete its verification before the next hearing.
Opoloje was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison until October 14 for bail application.
If convicted of the alleged offence under Regulation 29, Opoloje could face a fine of up to sh1m, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, depending on the discretion of the court.
Tumusiime asked court to grant him a short adjournment to enable them to access the documents. He alternatively asked the magistrate to stand the matter down briefly so that the documents could be uploaded on the electronic court system once the system became accessible.
Magistrate Jatiiko declined to stand the matter down, saying she was required to attend a meeting, and instead adjourned the case to October 14, 2026.
She directed the defence to upload the relevant documents to enable the prosecution to complete its verification before the next hearing.
Opoloje was subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison until October 14 for bail application.
If convicted of the alleged offence under Regulation 29, Opoloje could face a fine of up to sh1m, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, depending on the discretion of the court.