The High Court has ordered journalist and social media commentator Dean Lubowa Saava to pay Shs100 million in damages to Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe.
The court found that Lubowa, the proprietor of TV10 Gano Mazima, defamed Twinomugisha through corruption allegations published on TikTok.
Justice Joyce Kavuma delivered the judgment on June 24, 2026. She ruled that Lubowa falsely accused Twinomugisha of corruption and misconduct.
The judge said the statements injured the reputation of the Deputy IGG.
“The plaintiff’s (Twinomugisha) evidence clearly shows that the statements published by the defendant (Lubowa) were defamatory in nature and intended at causing injury to the reputation of the plaintiff, the Deputy Inspector General of Government,” Justice Kavuma held.
TikTok Videos Sparked Defamation Suit
The case arose from videos Lubowa published on his TikTok platform, TV10 Gano Mazima, in July 2025.
In the videos, Lubowa alleged that Twinomugisha had received Shs200 million in bribes linked to the Kaabong road project.
He also described her as a corrupt official who was unfit to hold public office.
According to court records, Lubowa claimed the Deputy IGG demanded money from engineers working on the road project.
He further alleged that she sent an aide to collect the funds on her behalf.
Lubowa also accused Twinomugisha of misappropriating money meant for wetlands. He questioned her suitability to lead Uganda’s anti-corruption efforts.
Deputy IGG Denied Allegations
Twinomugisha denied all the allegations before court.
She told court that she had never received money from engineers. She also said she had never been involved in the alleged transactions.
Twinomugisha further stated that she had never visited Kaabong District.
Her evidence was supported by Ombudsman Affairs Director Kakooza Savio Ntensibe. Lubowa had identified Ntensibe as Twinomugisha’s personal assistant.
Ntensibe told court that he was not Twinomugisha’s aide. He also denied collecting money on her behalf or taking part in the matters raised by Lubowa.
Case Proceeded Without Lubowa’s Defence
The court noted that Lubowa neither entered appearance nor filed a defence.
Justice Kavuma said he had been duly served with court documents. The case therefore proceeded ex parte.
The judge also observed that Lubowa had earlier admitted in a criminal plea bargain that the information he published about the Deputy IGG was false.
“The defendant in making these claims directly and indirectly insinuated without show of proof that the Deputy Inspector General of Government is part and parcel of the corruption she ought to eliminate,” Justice Kavuma stated.
She said Lubowa continued publishing the allegations despite warnings from Twinomugisha to stop.
The court described his conduct as malicious and reckless.
“The continued publishing of the said defamatory statements shows the desire and intent by the defendant to cause pain to the plaintiff,” Justice Kavuma ruled.
Court Declines Shs300m Exemplary Damages
Twinomugisha had asked court to award her Shs300 million in exemplary damages.
However, Justice Kavuma declined the request. She said there was no evidence that Lubowa had profited from the publications.
The judge instead awarded Shs100 million in general damages.
She cited the seriousness of the allegations, the wide circulation of the TikTok content, and Lubowa’s failure to apologise or defend himself.
Court heard that the TikTok platform had more than 300,000 followers.
Justice Kavuma also issued a permanent injunction against Lubowa and his agents.
The order restrains them from making or publishing further defamatory statements about Twinomugisha.
Lubowa was further ordered to publish a public apology on the same TikTok platform where the defamatory statements appeared.
He must also pay the costs of the suit and interest on the damages until payment in full.
