The trial of a former Gulu High Court intern accused of illegally sharing confidential court records on social media failed to proceed on Wednesday at the Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court after the trial magistrate was informed that the defense counsel were indisposed.
Gloria Grace Laker, a student pursuing a Diploma in Law at the Law Development Centre, was arrested and charged on March 13, 2026, over allegations of unauthorized disclosure of court documents. Prosecution alleges that between March 6 and March 9, 2026, while undertaking her clerkship internship at the Gulu High Court, Laker accessed and shared sensitive information from the court’s criminal register regarding opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine.
When the matter came up for hearing before Gulu Magistrate Ashraf Muyunga on Wednesday, the defense team was absent. Counsel Stephen Komakech, who held brief for Laker’s lead advocates, Stephen Loboloke and Oscar Kiiza, requested an adjournment to enable the primary legal team to represent the accused.
“My Lord, I am holding brief for Counsel Stephen Loboloke and Counsel Oscar Kiiza, who are both indisposed today and unable to attend court. We pray for an adjournment to a later date when the defense team can appear to proceed with the matter,” Komakech told the magistrate.
The trial magistrate granted the prayer and pushed the prosecution case to late December.
“In light of the reasons presented regarding the absence of the defense counsel, the hearing of the prosecution case is hereby adjourned to December 8, 2026. The accused person’s bail is extended until then,” Magistrate Muyunga ruled.
The prosecution team, led by Patricia Adyedo, informed the court that state investigations into the case are fully completed and that witnesses are prepared to testify.
“The state was fully prepared to proceed with our witnesses today. Investigations are complete, and we are ready to prove our case once the defense is available,” Adyedo informed the court.
Laker faces charges under Section 25(9) of the Penal Code Act alongside provisions of the Computer Misuse Act relating to unauthorized access and dissemination of data. The allegations center on the unauthorized sharing of a court recording and registry entry indicating that Mr. Kyagulanyi was under investigation for allegedly making false statements concerning character.
The opposition leader himself has been battling charges related to alleged false statements, a case in which the hearing commenced on September 28, 2025, and where a police detective has already testified as the first prosecution witness.
Laker, who remains out on bail, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court will resume hearing the prosecution’s evidence on December 8, 2026.