Nabugodi, who had garnered a following of 20,000 for his comedic videos, created a particular skit that depicted a mock trial of Museveni, calling for a public flogging as punishment. His actions led to being charged with multiple offenses, including spreading hate speech and malicious information. Ultimately, he pled guilty to the charges last week.
During the sentencing in Entebbe, Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis cited Nabugodi's lack of remorse as a reason for the harsh sentence, asserting that it would serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar antics against the president. Amabilis hopes that the time in prison will teach Nabugodi that attacking individuals for content creation is unacceptable.
Nabugodi's case is not isolated; it draws parallels with other recent incidents where Ugandans have faced severe penalties for voicing their opinions online. For instance, Edward Awebwa received a six-year prison sentence earlier this year for comparable TikTok content, while three others are currently awaiting trial for similar charges.
The law under which Nabugodi was convicted is a controversial amendment to Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act enacted in 2022, which makes it illegal to disseminate information that ridicules or demeans another person or group. Rights organizations, including the US State Department, have criticized this law as a means for the Ugandan government to stifle dissent and intimidate internet users from criticizing its policies.
The situation underscores the ongoing concerns regarding the erosion of free speech and human rights in Uganda, where numerous individuals have been harassed or imprisoned for expressing dissenting opinions. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by content creators in environments where freedom of speech is restricted.
In light of these developments, Nabugodi has the right to appeal his sentence within the next 14 days, though the broader implications for freedom of expression in Uganda remain a pressing issue.
During the sentencing in Entebbe, Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis cited Nabugodi's lack of remorse as a reason for the harsh sentence, asserting that it would serve as a deterrent to others who might engage in similar antics against the president. Amabilis hopes that the time in prison will teach Nabugodi that attacking individuals for content creation is unacceptable.
Nabugodi's case is not isolated; it draws parallels with other recent incidents where Ugandans have faced severe penalties for voicing their opinions online. For instance, Edward Awebwa received a six-year prison sentence earlier this year for comparable TikTok content, while three others are currently awaiting trial for similar charges.
The law under which Nabugodi was convicted is a controversial amendment to Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act enacted in 2022, which makes it illegal to disseminate information that ridicules or demeans another person or group. Rights organizations, including the US State Department, have criticized this law as a means for the Ugandan government to stifle dissent and intimidate internet users from criticizing its policies.
The situation underscores the ongoing concerns regarding the erosion of free speech and human rights in Uganda, where numerous individuals have been harassed or imprisoned for expressing dissenting opinions. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by content creators in environments where freedom of speech is restricted.
In light of these developments, Nabugodi has the right to appeal his sentence within the next 14 days, though the broader implications for freedom of expression in Uganda remain a pressing issue.
