TikToker jailed for six years for abusing Museveni, Janet, Muhoozi
Entebbe Chief Magistrate's court has sentenced a 24-year-old Tiktoker, Edward Awebwa to six years in jail for abusing President Yoweri Museveni.
Awebwa, who had no legal representation, on Wednesday appeared before the court presided over by chief magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis who sentenced him just a week after his plea of guilty on four counts of hate speech.
Court heard that between February and March 2024 within Entebbe in Wakiso districts, Awebwa used his TikTok account known as Save Media Uganda, through a computer to send or share information that is likely to ridicule or degrade or demean Museveni, his wife Janet Kataha Museveni and their son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Court heard that Ahebwa shared abusive information regarding an increment in taxes relating to Museveni. Magistrate Amabilis while sentencing Ahebwa said he is a young man and a first-time offender who did not waste court time. She said that she should have otherwise sentenced Awebwa to serve 24 years in jail since he was charged with four offences.
However, Amabilis noted that since Awebwa chose to plead guilty a sentence of six years to run concurrently was the most appropriate one for him. She added that she would have cautioned him, but cases related to youth misusing their computers have become rampant.
The magistrate said Awebwa should serve as an example to other would-be offenders that they will not walk away without being punished for their criminal actions. The case was prosecuted by state attorney Janat Kitimbo.
The conviction of Awebwa comes at a time when security forces seem to have started a serious hunt against people who reportedly misuse their computers to attack high-profile people in the country. Last week the former Rubaga Division deputy residence city commissioner (RCC) Herbert Anderson Burora was sent to Luzira prison on charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information.
A day later, Fatuma Nansubuga a lone protestor who went to parliament demanding the resignation of the speaker of parliament, Annet Anita Among over alleged corruption was also remanded before securing bail on Tuesday.
