Two Ugandans remanded for allegedly insulting President Museveni, First Lady Janet, and Gen. Muhoozi on TikTok, sparking global concern.
Two Ugandans Remanded for Allegedly Insulting Museveni Family on TikTok
Two Ugandan nationals—David Ssengozi (aka Lucky Choice, 21) and Isaiah Ssekagiri (28)—have been remanded to Kigo Prison on charges of insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, via TikTok content.
The case, presided over by Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis, has drawn wide attention as critics argue it reflects Uganda’s ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression. The two defendants will remain in custody until November 13, 2024, when the case returns to court.
Charges of Hate Speech and Malicious Communication
The pair is accused—alongside Julius Tayebwa (19), already in custody—of publishing TikTok videos intended to “degrade, demean, and incite hostility” against Uganda’s First Family and NRM-affiliated musicians.
The controversial video titled “My First Enemies”, posted in April, is believed to contain explicit language critical of the Museveni family. The accused have pleaded not guilty.
Uganda’s Justification and Human Rights Criticism
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma warned in September 2024 that insulting the president—“the fountain of honour”—is a criminal offence.
This statement followed the July 2024 sentencing of another man to six years in prison for a similar offence. The arrests have ignited backlash from international observers and digital rights defenders.
Human Rights Watch and the US State Department have criticised Uganda’s use of cyber laws to stifle dissent and control online narratives, particularly when it comes to government accountability.
A Pattern of Repression
Uganda’s track record includes the 2022 arrest of Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a PEN award-winning author detained for critical tweets about the president and General Muhoozi. He later fled to Germany, alleging torture during his detention.
Related Internal Reads:
- 👉 Museveni’s Social Media Crackdown: A Timeline
- 👉 Freedom of Expression Under Threat in East Africa
- 👉 Digital Rights and Repression in Uganda
The Bigger Picture: Free Speech vs. State Control
As Uganda prepares for another election cycle, these high-profile arrests underscore the government’s commitment to controlling political discourse online. With growing global attention, the question remains: Will Uganda amend its laws to protect digital freedoms, or will it continue to prosecute dissenters under the guise of preserving honour?
