A 24-year-old Ugandan TikToker has been sentenced to six years in prison for using the platform to spread hate speech.
The TikToker is said to have shared false information against President Yoweri Museveni and the entire first family.
Entebbe Chief Magistrate Court’s Chief Magistrate, Stellah-Maris Amabilisi, delivered the sentence on Edward Awebwa, who ran the account “Save Media Uganda,”.
Edward was arrested for posting a video insulting the president; his wife and his son.
According to police, he shared videos mocking Museveni between February and March 2024.
This sentencing is part of a broader campaign by security agencies against people using social media to insult senior government officials in Uganda.
Edward is among content creators jailed under the Computer Misuse Act of 2022 for spreading “malicious information” and “hate speech.”
Human rights activists have challenged this law in the Constitutional Court, calling it repressive.
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine opposed the sentencing of the TikToker.
“Unless otherwise, this young man- a TikToker is set to spend 6 years in detention for ‘insulting’ Gen. Museveni, his wife and son. The same Museveni who regularly insults those who disagree with him – calling them idiots and swine. The same Museveni who looks on as his apologists insult, ridicule and disparage those who oppose his rule,”
“While the corrupt who have stolen the future of millions, self-professed murderers, and other known criminals continue to roam about freely — receiving VIP treatment, simply because they support the regime.” Bobi Wine said.
