In a controversial case that has reignited debates about freedom of speech in Uganda, 24-year-old Edward Awebwa has been sentenced to six years in prison for content he shared on his TikTok account ‘Save Media Uganda’.
The posts, made between February and March 2024, were deemed insulting to President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces.
Awebwa’s content reportedly included claims about potential tax increases linked to President Museveni, as well as language that the court described as “vulgar” and disrespectful towards the first family. This comes in the wake of Gen Z protests against high taxes in the neighboring Kenya.
He faced charges of hate speech and disseminating misleading or malicious information, to which he pleaded guilty on Friday.
Respecting the Nation’s Leadership
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Entebbe Chief Magistrate Court’s Presiding Chief Magistrate Stellah-Maris Amabilisi, emphasized the court’s view on respecting the nation’s leadership. 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.”
The magistrate further explained the rationale behind the sentence:
“This court is of the opinion that 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 first son.”
Awebwa received a six-year sentence for each of the four counts against him, to be served concurrently at Kigo Upper Prison. The court acknowledged the five days he had already spent in remand.
Uganda’s Cybercrime Laws
This case highlights the ongoing tension between Uganda’s cybercrime laws and concerns over freedom of expression. In 2022, President Museveni signed the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, which criminalizes the sharing of “unsolicited offensive information or hate speech” online. The law 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 whether or not a conversation ensues.”
However, this legislation has faced significant opposition from rights groups and activists who argue that it infringes on press freedom and freedom of speech. In January 2023, Uganda’s constitutional court ruled that section 25 of the Act was inconsistent with the country’s constitution and ordered a halt to its enforcement.
Despite this ruling, prosecutions under similar laws continue. In February 2024, another TikTok content creator, 27-year-old Ibrahim Musana, was arrested for allegedly insulting the Kabaka (king) of the Kingdom of Buganda and other kingdom officials in his videos.