TikToker Abdallah Bogere granted bail over false sh7bn theft claims

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to 35-year-old TikToker Abdallah Bogere, popularly known as “True Leader,” who is accused of falsely claiming that he and others stole Shs7 billion from the head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye.

Bogere appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa for a ruling on his bail application. He is charged with sending false distress signals contrary to Section 82 of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103, a charge he has denied.

In her ruling, Magistrate Kidasa said Bogere was entitled to bail and found no compelling reason to keep him in custody. She granted him cash bail of Shs1 million, while his sureties were bonded at Shs5 million each on a non-cash basis.

The court also barred Bogere from making further false accusations while on bail and warned that violating the conditions could lead to the cancellation of his bond.

Prosecution alleges that between August 3 and 4, 2026, Bogere and other suspects who are still at large used TikTok accounts @trueleader123 and @Planned Mulekwa to circulate videos claiming that they had participated in the alleged theft of Shs7 billion from Namyalo. The state maintains that the claims were false and intended to cause alarm.

During the bail proceedings, Chief State Attorney Joan Keko told court that investigations were nearing completion but requested more time to verify the background and information provided by Bogere’s sureties.

Bogere, through his lawyer, presented three sureties, including a Kampala Central Division councillor, a businesswoman and his wife. The defence described them as substantial and reliable sureties.

The case was adjourned to September 2026 for further mention as investigations continue.