freedom of speech

Two Ugandan men have been detained for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and the president’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on TikTok. David Ssengozi (21), also known as Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri (28) appeared before Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis, who ordered their detention at Kigo Prison until November 13 for a preliminary hearing. The two men, along with a third defendant, Julius Tayebwa (19), are facing charges of hate speech and spreading “malicious information” against the president’s family and musicians linked to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Prosecutors argue that the content shared on TikTok was intended to “ridicule, degrade, demean, and promote hostility” toward the first family and NRM affiliates. While Ssengozi and Ssekagiri denied the charges, their detention comes amid a broader government crackdown on criticism of state officials. In September, a police spokesperson warned the public against “abusing” the president, stating it was an offense. This follows a similar case in July, when a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for a TikTok video critical of the president’s family. The case has sparked renewed concern over Uganda’s stance on internet freedom and freedom of expression. Rights groups have long criticized the government’s restrictive approach, with the U.S. government recently highlighting limitations on internet freedom. In 2022, Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled the country after being detained for critical tweets about the president and his son, claiming he was tortured in detention.