Ugandan Student Jailed Over TikTok Post as Free Speech Concerns Mount
A Ugandan university student has been sentenced to two months in prison after sharing a TikTok video critical of President Yoweri Museveni, sparking fresh concerns about free expression in the country as national elections draw near.
Elson Tumwine, an agriculture student, was reported missing on June 8 while on internship in Hoima, western Uganda. After public concern grew over his disappearance, he resurfaced at a police station last week and was charged shortly after.
The charge? A social media post that used a doctored video appearing to show Speaker of Parliament Anita Among accusing the president of serious misconduct. Tumwine later admitted guilt to the charge of “offensive communication” and apologized in court.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the post was designed to “ridicule and incite hostility” against both Museveni and Among.
But human rights advocates see a deeper issue. Lawyer Kato Tumusiime called the incident part of a growing crackdown on digital dissent. “There’s a pattern emerging,” he said. “Social media users are being silenced under the guise of protecting political figures from criticism.”
President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, is expected to run again in next year’s election. Rights groups have long accused his government of tightening its grip on media and opposition voices.
Tumwine is not alone. In a separate case last November, another TikTok user was convicted for allegedly insulting the president in a video clip.
As the country edges closer to the polls, the line between critique and criminality continues to blur.
