Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s court sentenced 24-year-old TikToker Edward Awebwa to six years in jail for abusing President Yoweri Museveni. Chief magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis presided over the court and handed down the sentence. Awebwa, lacking legal representation, pleaded guilty to four counts of hate speech just a week before his sentencing.
Court documents revealed that between February and March 2024, Awebwa used his TikTok account, Save Media Uganda, to share content that ridiculed or demeaned Museveni, his wife Janet Kataha Museveni, and their son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Awebwa’s posts also included derogatory comments about tax increases related to Museveni.
Magistrate Amabilis acknowledged Awebwa’s youth and status as a first-time offender, noting that he did not waste the court’s time. Although Awebwa faced potential sentences totaling 24 years, his guilty plea resulted in a reduced six-year sentence. Amabilis remarked that this sentence was appropriate, highlighting the need to address the rising issue of young people misusing computers.
Amabilis emphasized that Awebwa’s case should serve as a deterrent to others considering similar actions. The prosecution, led by state attorney Janat Kitimbo, supported this stance. The conviction of TikToker Edward Awebwa aligns with recent efforts by security forces to crack down on individuals misusing computers to target high-profile figures in Uganda.
Recently, several individuals faced similar charges. Former Rubaga Division deputy residence city commissioner Herbert Anderson Burora was imprisoned on charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information. Additionally, protestor Fatuma Nansubuga, who demanded the resignation of the parliament speaker over alleged corruption, was remanded before securing bail. TikToker Ibrahim Musana, known as Pressure 24/7, was also detained for promoting hate speech against various leaders before being released.
