GULU — A law student on internship has been remanded to prison in northern Uganda after she was accused of leaking a court document linked to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The student, identified as Gloria Laker, appeared before Mirriam Amoro at the Gulu Magistrate’s Court on March 13.
She faces charges under the Computer Misuse Act for allegedly making an unauthorised disclosure of official court records between March 6 and March 9.
Prosecutors told court that Laker allegedly photographed and shared a page from case CO-140-2026, which reportedly contains accusations that Kyagulanyi made false or malicious statements.
Laker pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the court deferred the hearing of her bail application to March 17, ordering that she be remanded to Gulu Central Prison in the meantime.
Kyagulanyi condemned the arrest and detention of the student, describing it as retaliation.
“The criminal regime has today charged and detained a law student on internship, Gloria Laker, for taking a picture of the trumped-up charges they’re plotting against me and sharing it online,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement posted on social media.
He also alleged that security agencies have continued to target his associates.
“The same regime has been consistently saying they’re not looking for me, even as they continue to raid my friends’ homes, mount roadblocks on public roads, and maintain the siege at my home,” he said.
However, critics say the student may have breached court procedures by sharing restricted court documents.
The case comes amid heightened political tensions following Uganda’s January elections, with opposition figures accusing authorities of targeting their supporters.
Court proceedings are expected to continue next week when Laker returns to court for the hearing of her bail application.
