A 24-year-old Ugandan TikTok content creator, Edward Awebwa, has been sentenced to six years in prison for insulting President Yoweri Museveni and members of his family.
Awebwa was charged for sharing content on his TikTok account ‘Save Media Uganda’ between February and March 2024, which was found to be derogatory towards President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces.
Awebwa’s posts included claims about an impending increase in taxes associated with President Museveni.
He admitted guilt to charges of hate speech and spreading false or harmful information last Friday.
During the ruling on Wednesday, the court emphasized the need for respect towards the President, the First Lady, and their son.
Entebbe Chief Magistrate Court’s Presiding Chief Magistrate, Stellah-Maris Amabilisi, stated, “The accused is pleading for mercy but he does not look remorseful at all for his acts, he is a person who was aware of what he was doing and the court had an opportunity to even see the video, the language that was being used was really vulgar,” as reported by the local newspaper Daily Monitor.
“This court is of the opinion that the accused deserves a punishment which will enable him to learn from his past so that next time he will respect the person of the president, the first lady and first son.”
Considering the five days Awebwa had already spent in custody, the court sentenced him to six years in prison for each of the four counts, with the sentences to run concurrently at Kigo Upper Prison.
In 2022, President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, enacted the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022. This law stipulates a jail term for individuals who disseminate unsolicited offensive content or hate speech online.
“A person who uses social media to publish, distribute or share information prohibited under the laws of Uganda, or using disguised or false identity, commits an offence,” the law states.
Offensive communication is defined as the “willful and repeated use of electronic communication to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues.”
This offence can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Human rights groups and activists have criticized the law, arguing that it restricts press freedom and freedom of speech and expression.
In January 2023, Uganda’s constitutional court declared section 25 of the Act unconstitutional and ordered the suspension of its enforcement, including all ongoing prosecutions and investigations.
Earlier this year, another Ugandan TikTok creator, 27-year-old Ibrahim Musana, known for his social media pages ‘Pressure Pressure’, was arrested for allegedly insulting the Kabaka, the king of the Kingdom of Buganda, and other kingdom officials in his videos.
Musana faced accusations of defamation, promoting hate speech, and incitement to violence.
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