Muthomi Ireri
A 24-year-old Ugandan man has been sentenced to six years in prison for using TikTok to disseminate hate speech and false information against President Yoweri Museveni and his family.
The sentence was handed down by Chief Magistrate Stellah-Maris Amabilisi of the Entebbe Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday. Edward Awebwa, who managed the account “Save Media Uganda,” was arrested for posting a video that insulted the president, his wife, and his son.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, Awebwa shared videos mocking the president between February and March 2024.
This sentencing is part of a wider campaign by security agencies targeting individuals who use social media to insult senior government officials. Awebwa is among several content creators who have been jailed under the Computer Misuse Act of 2022 for spreading “malicious information” and “hate speech.” Human rights activists have contested this law in the Constitutional Court, deeming it repressive.
The Computer Misuse Act defines offensive communication 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.” The offense can result in a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Dj Vnyash
Silverio Omari
