In a continuing crackdown on free expression, Emmanuel Nabugodi, a 21-year-old TikTok comedian, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for creating a video deemed insulting to President Yoweri Museveni. Nabugodi, who had amassed a following of 20,000, pleaded guilty to charges that included hate speech and disseminating malicious information about the president, leading to his sentencing by Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis in Entebbe.
This latest ruling adds Nabugodi to a growing list of Ugandans imprisoned for similar offenses. In a mock trial video, he humorously suggested that Museveni should be publicly flogged, an act that has been interpreted as a severe blow to the already thin veneer of free speech. Rights organizations have voiced their dismay, stating that the Museveni administration, which has been in power since 1986, continually suppresses criticism.
The legality of Nabugodi's conviction stems from a controversial amendment made to the Computer Misuse Act in 2022, which criminalizes any digital communication that might ridicule or demean an individual or group. Nedward Awebwa, another TikToker, received a six-year prison sentence in July for similar infractions. Meanwhile, three other Ugandans are awaiting trials for their posts on the platform, underscoring the escalating tension within Uganda's digital landscape.
Court officials indicated that Nabugodi's apparent lack of remorse contributed to the severity of his sentence. The magistrate expressed hope that the prison term would deter similar online expressions targeting political figures. Critics, however, argue that such laws are employed by authorities as tools of intimidation against those deeming to challenge government policies.
Human rights reports, including one from the US State Department, have consistently highlighted that the Ugandan administration uses these laws to stifle dissent. Notably, renowned author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija faced charges for "offensive communication" after disfavorably mentioning President Museveni, leading him to escape to Germany following alleged torture during incarceration.
As Uganda navigates through increasing censorship and suppression of free speech, cases like that of Emmanuel Nabugodi illustrate the dire implications for digital citizenship in the country, leaving many concerned for the future of artistic expression and individual rights.
This latest ruling adds Nabugodi to a growing list of Ugandans imprisoned for similar offenses. In a mock trial video, he humorously suggested that Museveni should be publicly flogged, an act that has been interpreted as a severe blow to the already thin veneer of free speech. Rights organizations have voiced their dismay, stating that the Museveni administration, which has been in power since 1986, continually suppresses criticism.
The legality of Nabugodi's conviction stems from a controversial amendment made to the Computer Misuse Act in 2022, which criminalizes any digital communication that might ridicule or demean an individual or group. Nedward Awebwa, another TikToker, received a six-year prison sentence in July for similar infractions. Meanwhile, three other Ugandans are awaiting trials for their posts on the platform, underscoring the escalating tension within Uganda's digital landscape.
Court officials indicated that Nabugodi's apparent lack of remorse contributed to the severity of his sentence. The magistrate expressed hope that the prison term would deter similar online expressions targeting political figures. Critics, however, argue that such laws are employed by authorities as tools of intimidation against those deeming to challenge government policies.
Human rights reports, including one from the US State Department, have consistently highlighted that the Ugandan administration uses these laws to stifle dissent. Notably, renowned author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija faced charges for "offensive communication" after disfavorably mentioning President Museveni, leading him to escape to Germany following alleged torture during incarceration.
As Uganda navigates through increasing censorship and suppression of free speech, cases like that of Emmanuel Nabugodi illustrate the dire implications for digital citizenship in the country, leaving many concerned for the future of artistic expression and individual rights.
