Uganda Jails TikToker for Satirical Video on President Museveni
A young Ugandan content creator, Emmanuel Nabugodi, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after posting a satirical video on TikTok that depicted President Yoweri Museveni being subjected to a mock public flogging.
The conviction, which has stirred public debate and human rights concerns, marks the latest in a growing trend of social media users facing stiff penalties for online speech critical of government officials.
Nabugodi, 21, was found guilty on four counts related to hate speech and malicious online communication. He was prosecuted under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act (Amendment) 2022, a controversial law that criminalizes digital content deemed to “ridicule, degrade or demean” individuals, particularly public figures, without clear public interest.
The offending video, which portrayed a fictional tribunal where President Museveni was put on trial and symbolically punished, was posted to Nabugodi’s TikTok account, which had gathered a modest following for its comedic and satirical content. The authorities argued that the skit was not just in poor taste but constituted a deliberate and harmful act of public insult.
Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis of the Entebbe Magistrates’ Court tried the case.
In her ruling, she stated that the court “hopes that by the time the convict leaves prison, he will have learned that abusing people in the name of creating content is unacceptable.” She added that the punishment should serve as a deterrent to others misusing digital platforms to disrespect national leaders.
Despite pleading guilty, Nabugodi was not granted leniency, as the court said he showed no remorse.
This is not the first time a Ugandan has been imprisoned over online content perceived as insulting to the president or his family.
In July 2024, another TikToker, Edward Awebwa, received a six-year sentence for a series of posts targeting President Museveni, his wife Janet, and their son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In that case, the court also cited vulgar language and the intent to “mislead and incite.”
Both cases have triggered strong reactions from digital rights advocates, who say the government is using the Computer Misuse Act as a weapon against dissent. Critics argue that the law’s language is vague and open to abuse, effectively criminalizing satire, parody, and political commentary.
International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have previously criticized Uganda for using broad cybercrime laws to muzzle freedom of expression. The US State Department, in its 2024 country report, flagged Uganda’s increasingly harsh stance on online speech as a “growing concern for digital rights in East Africa.”
Ugandan officials maintain that such prosecutions are necessary to preserve national unity and respect for the presidency.
Government spokespersons argue that content creators must draw a clear line between satire and slander, and that digital platforms should not be used as tools for “irresponsible and divisive narratives.”
However, free speech advocates point out that satire has long been a legitimate form of political expression, especially in democratic societies. They warn that criminalizing such speech may stifle civic engagement, create a climate of fear, and erode Uganda’s constitutional protections.
Nabugodi has 14 days to appeal the sentence, though it remains unclear whether he will pursue that route. In the meantime, his imprisonment has sent a chilling message to Uganda’s online creators, many of whom are now treading more carefully to avoid prosecution.
As Uganda moves toward another election cycle, analysts say the tightening of control over digital spaces could shape both the political narrative and the freedom of public discourse in the months ahead.
