Luwero Magistrate’s Court has ordered social media personality Magala Balikyewunya, popularly known as Mzee Magala, to pay a total of Shs33 million in fines and compensation following a 2022 shooting incident arising from a land dispute in Nakaseke District.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Esther Adikini, ordered Magala to pay an immediate fine of Shs3 million or serve three years in prison for attempted murder.
He was also directed to pay the victim, identified as Akandwanaho, Shs10 million upon his release and an additional Shs20 million after one year as compensation for injuries sustained during the shooting.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with the magistrate reportedly taking into account Magala’s deteriorating health, particularly his diabetic condition, before opting for a non-custodial sentence.
Court heard that the shooting occurred in Nakaseke District in 2022 during a land dispute, in which Akandwanaho was shot in the leg and left with a disability.
Magala reportedly spent a week in custody at Butuntumula Police Station following the incident.
His defence lawyer, Christopher Baluku, had asked court to consider a non-custodial sentence, citing his client’s deteriorating health and the challenges of managing his diabetes while in custody.
In her ruling, Magistrate Adikini granted the request but warned that failure to comply with the payment conditions would result in Magala serving the three-year prison sentence.
Under the court order, Magala is required to pay the Shs3 million fine immediately, followed by the stipulated compensation payments to the victim.
The order makes compliance with the payment conditions central to avoiding the custodial sentence.
