A Ugandan court has convicted a 21-year-old TikTok user for calling for the public flogging of President Yoweri Museveni. Emmanuel Nabugodi, who posted a video mocking a trial of the president, now faces up to seven years in prison for “spreading hate speech” against the head of state.
Nabugodi pleaded guilty on November 13 and was remanded in custody at Kigo maximum security prison near Kampala until his sentencing on November 18. Prosecutors have requested a seven-year sentence.
He is the fourth Ugandan in two days to be charged for insulting Museveni and his family. In July, another 21-year-old TikToker was sentenced to six years in prison for similar charges. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has faced growing criticism for his iron-fisted leadership.
In late 2021, award-winning author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was arrested for insulting Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is widely believed to be positioning himself to succeed his father. Rukirabashaija, who was tortured during detention, later fled to Germany.
In 2020, a comedy troupe was jailed for a video that sarcastically urged Ugandans to pray for their leaders, including Museveni. After a public outcry, the charges were dropped.
