A Ugandan court has handed down a six-year prison sentence to 24-year-old Edward Awebwa for insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba on TikTok.
Awebwa pleaded guilty to charges of hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information, including a claim that taxes would increase under President Museveni’s leadership. While he apologized, the presiding magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, noted that he did not appear remorseful and used “really vulgar” language in the video.
“The accused deserves a punishment that will enable him to learn from his past and respect the person of the president, the first lady, and the first son,” Magistrate Amabilis said. Awebwa was sentenced to six years for each of the four charges, to run concurrently.
Human rights groups have criticized Ugandan authorities for violating freedom of expression, with similar cases involving award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija and activist Stella Nyanzi, who were both charged with “offensive communication” for criticizing the president and his son.
Ugandan human rights lawyer Michael Aboneka argued that the law under which Awebwa was charged is vague and still being challenged in court. “The president and his family should expect criticism from every angle,” Aboneka said. “Unless they plan to arrest every Ugandan who criticizes them.”
