Ugandan TikToker Convicted For Insulting President

A 21-year-old TikToker was found guilty by a Ugandan court of advocating on the platform for President Yoweri Museveni’s public whipping.

A guy who made a video showing a fictitious trial of Museveni, Emmanuel Nabugodi, could spend up to seven years in prison for “spreading hate speech” against the head of state.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, he entered a guilty plea and was placed under remand at the infamous Kigo high security prison outside of Kampala until his sentencing on Nov. 18. Prosecutors have requested a seven-year term from the Entebbe court, according to state attorney Paul Aheebwa Byamukama.

For insulting the president and his family, Nabugodi is the fourth Ugandan to appear in court and be placed under detention in custody in the past two days.

Another 21-year-old TikToker was given a six-year prison sentence in July for criticizing Museveni, who has imposed strict rules on Uganda since overthrowing President Milton Obote in 1986.

Accused of insulting Museveni and his influential son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who many Ugandans believe is preparing to succeed his 80-year-old father, award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was detained in late 2021.

The 2021 PEN Pinter Prize for an International Writer of Courage, given to a writer who has faced persecution for voicing their opinions, went to Rukirabashaija.

He claimed to have fled into exile in Germany after being tortured during his month-long incarceration in Uganda.

Four members of a comedy group were imprisoned in 2020 after they mockingly posted a video in which they urged Ugandans to offer prayers for their leaders, including Museveni, the head of the police and prisons.

Charges were dropped after an online campaign called for their release.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli