Tiktoker Awebwa jailed for six years for abusing Museveni and family

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court has sentenced 24-year-old Tiktoker,  Edward Awebwa to six years in jail for having abused the President of Uganda General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Awebwa, who had no lawyer, on Wednesday appeared before the Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis who sentenced him a week after his plea of guilty on four counts of hate speech.

The Court heard that between February and March 2024 within Entebbe in Wakiso District, Awebwa used his tik tok account known as Save Media Uganda, through a computer to send or share information that is likely to ridicule or degrade or demean Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,  the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni and their son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The Court heard that Ahebwa shared abusive information regarding an increment in taxes relating to Museveni.

The Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis while sentencing Awebwa said he is a young man and first-time offender who did not waste court time.

She said that she should have otherwise sentenced Awebwa to serve 24 years in jail since he was charged with four offenses.

However, Amabilis noted that since Awebwa chose to plead guilty a sentence of six years to run concurrently was the most appropriate one for him.

She added that she would have cautioned him, but cases related to youth misusing their computers have become rampant.

The Magistrate said Awebwa should serve as an example to other would-be offenders that they will not walk away without being punished for their criminal actions.

The case was prosecuted by  State Attorney Janat Kitimbo.

The conviction of Awebwa comes at a time when security forces seem to have started a serious hunt against people who reportedly misuse their computers to attack high-profile people in the country.

Last week the former Rubaga Division RCC Herbert Anderson Burora was sent to Luzira Prison on charges of hate speech and spreading malicious information.

A day later, Fatuma Nansubuga a lone protestor who went to Parliament demanding for the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among over alleged corruption was also remanded before securing bail yesterday.

A few months ago, a Tiktoker Ibrahim Musana commonly known as Pressure 24/7 was remanded for about two months for promoting hate speech against Anita Among, President Museveni, and Kabaka of Buganda before he secured his freedom.

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