A Ugandan court has handed down a six-year prison sentence to Edward Awebwa, a 24-year-old TikToker, for posting a video deemed insulting to President Yoweri Museveni and his family.
Awebwa faced charges of hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information against President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the military. The court noted that Awebwa’s video also included abusive remarks predicting tax increases under President Museveni’s leadership.
Although Awebwa pleaded guilty and sought forgiveness, the presiding magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, emphasized his lack of remorse and the vulgar nature of his words. “The accused deserves a punishment which will enable him learn from his past so that next time he will respect the person of the president, the first lady and the first son,” she remarked.
Awebwa was sentenced to six years for each of the four charges, to be served concurrently.
Ugandan authorities have faced criticism from rights groups over violations of human rights and freedom of expression. In recent years, several individuals, including award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija and activist Stella Nyanzi, have been targeted for their criticism of President Museveni.
President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, signed a controversial law in 2022 targeting online speech, which was later partially struck down by the constitutional court.
Human rights lawyer Michael Aboneka criticized Awebwa’s charges under the same law, calling it vague and arguing for the right to criticize the president and his family without fear of reprisal.