Ugandan TikTokers Arrested for Allegedly Insulting President and First Family
Ugandan TikTokers Arrested for Allegedly Insulting President and First Family
Two Ugandan TikTokers have been remanded in custody for allegedly posting content that insults President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and the president’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on the popular video-sharing platform. The accused, 21-year-old David Ssengozi (aka Lucky Choice) and 28-year-old Isaiah Ssekagiri, appeared before court on charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information targeting the first family and musicians associated with Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The two men were detained at Kigo Prison following their court appearance, where they denied the allegations. They were charged alongside 19-year-old Julius Tayebwa, who was already in custody for similar offenses. According to the prosecution, the TikTok videos posted by the suspects aimed to “ridicule, degrade, demean, and promote hostility” toward the first family and other prominent figures in Uganda’s political and entertainment spheres.
The case gained significant attention after police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma warned in September that insulting the president, whom he described as the “fountain of honour,” was a punishable offense. This followed an investigation into Lucky Choice, whose video “My First Enemies,” released in April, contained explicit language targeting the first family.
The arrest and detention of these individuals are part of a broader crackdown on internet freedom and freedom of expression in Uganda. The Ugandan government has been criticized for restricting criticism of its officials, with rights organizations raising concerns over human rights violations and the use of criminal penalties for online speech.
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Source: BBC
