Emmanuel Nabugodi, a 21-year-old Ugandan TikTok content creator, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for creating a video deemed insulting to President Yoweri Museveni. Nabugodi, who is known for sharing comedy content with his 20,000 followers, pleaded guilty to charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information about the president.
The video in question featured a mock trial of President Museveni, in which Nabugodi called for the public flogging of the president. This act of satire led to Nabugodi’s arrest and subsequent conviction under Uganda’s controversial Computer Misuse Act, which makes it illegal to share content that ridicules or demeans others, including public figures like the president.
The sentencing, which took place on Monday, was handed down by Stellah Maris Amabilis, the Chief Magistrate in Entebbe. In her ruling, she stated that Nabugodi had shown no remorse and emphasized the need to deter social media attacks on individuals, particularly the president. She also noted that the conviction aimed to send a message that abusing people for the sake of content creation was unacceptable.
Nabugodi’s case is part of a broader trend of increasing restrictions on free speech in Uganda. Critics argue that the government, led by President Museveni, has been stifling dissent and curtailing the ability of citizens to criticize the administration. Rights organizations have expressed concerns over the growing use of laws like the Computer Misuse Act to intimidate individuals from expressing opinions on social media.
In recent months, other Ugandan social media users, including Edward Awebwa, who was sentenced to six years in prison for a similar TikTok post, have also faced legal action for content deemed critical of the government. Three other individuals are currently awaiting trial on similar charges related to their social media activities.
This legal crackdown on freedom of speech in Uganda has garnered international criticism, with human rights organizations accusing the government of using the law as a tool to silence opposition voices. The case of Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, an award-winning author who was charged with offensive communication in 2022 for criticizing the president, also remains a symbol of the growing repression in the country. Rukirabashaija was forced to flee Uganda after enduring torture in prison.
As for Nabugodi, while he has the option to appeal the court’s decision within 14 days, his sentence highlights the increasing limitations on digital expression in Uganda and the harsh penalties for those who challenge the government, especially through platforms like TikTok.