GULU: A magistrate court in Gulu has granted bail to Gloria Grace Laker, the law intern accused of illegally sharing court records related to opposition leader Bobi Wine. Magistrate Ashraf Muyumba released Laker on Tuesday after she presented substantial sureties and paid a cash bail of 500,000 shillings. Each of her three sureties signed bonds of two million shillings non-cash .
Laker appeared in court on Tuesday after spending several days on remand. She was arrested on March 10 and first arraigned on March 13, when the court denied her bail . Her legal team expressed relief at the outcome. “She allegedly shared the court register and we don’t know whether it is true,” said lawyer Henry Komakech Kilama. “We have asked court to present the evidence and we have not seen any but we shall ask for it from court” .
Prosecution Absence Delays Hearing
The bail hearing faced initial delays when state prosecutors failed to appear. Magistrate Muyumba waited for several hours without the prosecution team present. “From 9:00 am, I have been waiting for the state and the team. I have made calls, and no one is picking and I have also not received any notifications from them whether they are coming in or not,” the magistrate said .
The court could not proceed without the prosecution present. The session started nearly two hours late before the matter adjourned temporarily . When proceedings resumed, the prosecution remained absent, and the magistrate ultimately granted bail. Defence lawyer Kilama criticized the prosecution’s absence, saying efforts to have them appear failed .
Charges Stem From Court Register Sharing
Prosecutors allege that between March 6 and 9, 2026, while attached to Gulu High Court as an intern, Laker shared information from the court’s criminal register on social media without authorization . Sources say the charges stem from circulating court material linked to Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform .
The court register entry showed Case No. 140 of 2026 listing Kyagulanyi as the accused, with charges described as “making false or malicious statements concerning character” under Section 25(9) of the Penal Code Act . The leak sparked political debate because it suggested authorities may have a case prepared against the opposition leader, contradicting earlier military statements that they were not searching for him .
Remand Coincided With Internship End
Laker, a student pursuing a Diploma in Law at the Law Development Centre, was doing her clerkship at Gulu High Court when the alleged offense occurred . Her remand came on the same day her internship period was due to end .
She pleaded not guilty to charges under both the Computer Misuse Act and the Penal Code relating to unauthorized disclosure of information . The specific charges include contravening provisions of the Computer Misuse Act and Section 25(9) of the Penal Code Act .
Strict Bail Conditions
The court imposed strict conditions on Laker’s release. Her legal team confirmed she must comply with restrictions on public and online commentary about the case. “One of the conditions that is stringent on her is not to engage in online content that regards the case,” her lawyer Oscar Kiiza said .
Laker’s sureties include her mother Rose Daisy Lanyero, her aunt Grace Acheng, and Patrick Okello Onguti, the MP-elect for Aswa County . Onguti expressed gratitude toward court for considering the bail application after the failed attempt on Friday. “We are also happy that the court heard our prayer that she needed to gain her freedom and the court proceedings moving on,” he said . He added they hope for a free and just court hearing so Laker receives total freedom .
Related Constitutional Court Ruling
The case against Laker unfolds against a significant legal backdrop. Just one day before her bail hearing, the Constitutional Court nullified several provisions of the Computer Misuse Act, ruling that Parliament passed them without the required quorum . A panel of five justices led by Justice Irene Mulyagonja found some provisions overly broad, vague, and ambiguous .
The court nullified Section 11 on unauthorized access and interception, Section 23 on sharing information about children, Section 26 on information ridiculing or degrading others, Section 27 on unsolicited information, Section 28 on malicious information, and Section 29 on social media misuse under false identity . The ruling declared these provisions void because Parliament enacted them unlawfully .
The court also declared Sections 162 and 163 of the Penal Code Act, which relate to criminal libel, unconstitutional . This broader ruling may impact how courts handle cases involving alleged unauthorized sharing of information.
Next Court Appearance
Laker will appear in court again on April 15, 2026 for the case hearing . Her legal team maintains her innocence and has demanded evidence from the prosecution to support the allegations . The case continues to attract attention due to its connection to the opposition leader and the ongoing debate over Uganda’s computer misuse laws.
