A 24-year-old Ugandan has been sentenced to six years in prison for insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his family.
Edward Awebwa was charged with hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information about the first family on his TikTok account.
In the video, Awebwa claimed that Museveni would increase taxes, causing Ugandans to suffer under his leadership.
Additionally, he was charged with spreading false and abusive information about Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the head of the military.
Upon appearing in court, Awebwa pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.
Following his guilty plea, the presiding magistrate, Maris Amabilis, observed that despite Awebwa’s plea for mercy, he did not appear remorseful for his actions. The magistrate noted that the language used in the video was “really vulgar.”
“The accused deserves a punishment which will enable him learn from his past so that next time he will respect the person of the president, the first lady and the first son,” she said.
Consequently, he was sentenced to six years for each of the four charges against him, which are to run concurrently.
Also Read: Museveni Responds After Fire Burns Down Uganda House in Nairobi
Activists Speak on Human Rights
Edward’s apprehension comes after award-winning Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was charged with two counts of “offensive communication” after making unflattering remarks about the president and his son on Twitter in 2022.
Rights groups have consistently condemned Ugandan authorities for violating human rights and suppressing freedom of expression.
Kakwenza, who claimed he was tortured during his month in jail, later fled to Germany.
Additionally, activist and writer Stella Nyanzi, who is also in exile, had earlier been jailed after publishing a poem that was critical against Mr Museveni.
Also Read: Museveni Recalls Hiding His Wife in Kenya, Showers Her with Love
Museveni Signs New Law
President Museveni has been in power since 1986 – 14 years before Awebwa was born.
In 2022 he signed into law a against speech which rights groups criticized, saying it was aimed at suppressing freedom of speech online.
However, in 2023 the constitutional court ruled that a section of the act that penalized “offensive communication” was unconstitutional.
Additionally, Ugandan human rights lawyer Michael Aboneka stated that Awebwa had been charged under the same broader law that they are still challenging in court because “it is vague”.
Speaking to the press, Aboneka remarked that the president and his family should expect criticism “from any angle” and emphasized that they cannot arrest every Ugandan for expressing their opinions.
“Unless they are saying that they are going to arrest every Ugandan for criticizing them at every point,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
