They Will Leave To Regret!! Two Tok Tokers Remanded For Abusing Museveni

Two young men have been remanded to Kigo Prison for allegedly using the social media platform TikTok to insult President Yoweri Museveni, his family, and several supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The accused, identified as David Ssengozi, also known as Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri, appeared in court on Monday, where they were ordered to remain in custody until November 13 as investigations continue.The charges stem from accusations that Ssengozi and Ssekagiri spread hate speech and malicious content targeting President Museveni, his wife Janet Kataaha Museveni, First Son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as well as NRM-leaning celebrities such as Jennifer Namutebi Nakangubi (commonly known as Full Figure), Gereson Wabuyi (alias Gravity Omutujju), and Patrick Mulwana (alias Alien Skin).The two youths face these charges alongside another individual, Julius Tayebwa, who was previously arraigned in court over similar allegations and also remanded to Kigo Prison.During the hearing before Entebbe Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis, it was revealed that between September and October 2024, Ssengozi allegedly used his TikTok account, LukyChoice70, to disseminate content that could potentially degrade, ridicule, and incite hostility against President Museveni and other prominent figures. Prosecutors charged him with five counts of hate speech under Section 26 (1)(a) and (c) and (2) of the Computer Misuse Act, two counts of spreading malicious information under Section 28 (1) and (2) of the same Act, and an additional charge for unauthorized use of another person’s SIM card in violation of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulation 2023.His co-accused, Isaiah Ssekagiri, faces one count of hate speech and one count of spreading malicious information against President Museveni. According to the prosecution, between January and October 2024, Ssekagiri allegedly used his TikTok account, cetewayosense29, to share content that could incite hostility and demean the President. Ssekagiri also denied the charges in court.Throughout their court appearance, both Ssengozi and Ssekagiri remained composed as they listened to the charges against them. The state attorney, Ms. Janet Kitimbo, informed the court that investigations are still underway, prompting the magistrate to adjourn the case.“You will return on the 13th of this month when the case will come up for mention. You are remanded to Kigo Prison until then,” Magistrate Amabilis ruled.The arrests and subsequent remand of the two young men highlight the growing scrutiny of social media content in Uganda. TikTok, a platform popular among the youth, has increasingly become a space where Ugandans express frustration over President Museveni’s nearly four-decade-long rule. Critics argue that the government is clamping down on dissenting voices as civic spaces shrink.Since the controversial 2021 presidential elections, which saw President Museveni declared the winner over his main rival, Robert Kyagulanyi (commonly known as Bobi Wine), there has been an uptick in arrests of Ugandans using platforms like TikTok to criticize the government. Several TikTok users have been detained or imprisoned for allegedly insulting the President or his associates, sparking concerns among human rights advocates about freedom of speech in the country.As the legal proceedings against Ssengozi and Ssekagiri continue, the case is drawing significant public interest, particularly among Uganda’s youth, who see the internet as one of the last remaining spaces for free expression. The outcome may set a precedent for how digital platforms are monitored and regulated in Uganda going forward.