The Chief Magistrate Court in Entebbe has sentenced Edward Awebwa, a 24-year-old TikToker, to six years in prison for making derogatory remarks about President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son.
Awebwa pleaded guilty to charges of hate speech and disseminating malicious information against the president, the First Lady, and the First Son. Despite his plea for leniency, Entebbe Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis dismissed his appeal for forgiveness.
Having been on remand for five days after admitting to all charges, Awebwa expressed remorse, stating, “Your Worship, I seek forgiveness because I have learned a lesson and I promise I will never do it again.”
However, Magistrate Amabilis remained unswayed by Awebwa’s plea. “I concur with the state that this is an offence which is becoming rampant. The likes of the accused run to social media to express their anger. There are even facts that the accused was paid only Shs50,000 to demean the President, the First Lady, and the First Son. This sentence is meant to ensure this habit stops.”
The court’s decision highlights the Ugandan judiciary’s stance on curbing social media abuse and hate speech, aiming to deter similar offences in the future.
