Ugandan TikTokers held for insulting first family

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during his two-day state visit in Nairobi on May 16, 2024

President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986 [AFP]

Two Ugandans have been detained for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni, the first lady Janet Museveni and the president’s son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on the video sharing platform, TikTok.

Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis remanded 21-year-old David Ssengozi, alias Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri , 28, to Kigo prison until Wednesday when they will make an initial court appearance.

They are accused of hate speech and spreading malicious information against the first family and musicians linked to the governing National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Appearing in court on Monday, the two denied the charges.

They are jointly charged with Julius Tayebwa, 19, who had already been brought before court and remanded in prison for the same offences.

Prosecutors allege that they posted information on TikTok meant to “ridicule degrade, demean, and promote hostility” against the first family and others

The magistrate allowed their detention after police said they were still making inquiries on the matter.

“You will come back on the 13 November, when the case will come up for mention. You are remanded at Kigo prison till then,” the magistrate ordered.

In September, police spokesman Rusoke Kituuma warned that abusing the president, who he termed the “fountain of honour”, was an offence. He mentioned Tiktoker with the name Lucky Choice who he said they were investigating. The Tiktoker was later arrested.

It is not clear which post led to the arrest, but a video released in April on TikTok on the page LuckyChoice70, with the title My First Enemies, criticised the first family using sexually explicit terms.

In July, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the president and the first family on a TikTok video. He had pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.

It comes as the government has been criticised for restricting people’s ability to criticise actions by the state or its officials.

The US government in a report last year accused Uganda of restricting internet freedom through the use of criminal punishments.

Rights groups also regularly denounce the Ugandan authorities over violations of human rights and the freedom of expression.

In 2022, 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.

He fled the country to Germany after spending a month in jail, where he said he had been tortured.