By eastafrican gazette
Edward Awebwa, 24, a Ugandan Tiktoker, has been sentenced to six years in jail by the Court in Uganda for insulting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni.
The sentencing was carried out by Entebbe Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis on July 10, 2024, following Awebwa’s own plea on four counts.
The resident of Nsavu village in Nama sub-county Mukono district had allegedly recorded a video and shared it on the Save Media Uganda Tiktok account, where he directed insults towards members of the First Family.
Tiktok has become a widely used social media platform where individuals share their thoughts and promote their businesses through short videos.
Awebwa was arrested last week, and after pleading guilty to all charges, he was remanded in custody.
On the first count of hate speech contary to Section 26A (1), (2) of the Computer Misuse Act as amended, the state alleged that Awebwa between February and March 2024, in Entebbe, Wakiso district, using Tiktok shared information which was likely to ridicule of degrade or demean President Museveni.
On the second account of spreading misleading or malicious information contrary to Section 26C(1), (2) of the Computer Misuse Act of 2011 as amended, Awebwa, between the month of February and March 2024 within Entebbe, Wakiso district using Tiktok shared information to wit increase of taxes relating to President Museveni.
On the third account of hate speech contrary to Section 26A(1), (2) of the Computer Misuse Act as amended, the State alleged that Awebwa, between the month of February and March 2024 within Entebbe, Wakiso district using Tiktok to wit Save Media Uganda, through a computer shared information which is likely to redicule or degrade or demean the First Lady.
On the fourth count of hate speech contrary to Section 26A(1), (2) of the Computer Misuse Act as amended, Awebwa using Tiktok to wit Save Media Uganda, shared information which is likely to redicule or degrade or demean Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“The person of the President, the First Lady and First son should be respected. And this court is to see such offences should come to stop.The accused is pleading for mercy, but he does not look remourseful at all,” the magistrate noted.
Mabilis emphasized that the punishment will help him reflect on his actions and ensure that he shows proper respect towards the President, the First Lady, and the First Son in the future.
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