Shoe hawker-turned-TikToker convicted in Entebbe for defaming Uganda’s first family

The TikToker known as Mr Juma Musuuza alias Madubarah was found to have used his TikTok account bearing the username Madubarah UG, to post a video ridicule the president and his son in October 2024 while in Wakiso district.

Musuuza is said to have in the video, alluded that the country would be destroyed if Museveni’s son ascended to the presidency.

“If Museveni hands over power to his drunkard son, the country will be destroyed within two days. Let Ugandans pray for our country and ourselves,” he said.

The court further heard that Musuuza further shared information threatening to kill or anyone who speaks about General Muhoozi should he succeeded his father, as well as referring to Speaker Among where he spoke of her allegedly misusing taxpayer money.

“Using taxpayers’ money to build a mansion which is better than State House and buying bleaching jelly (chemicals),” said Musuuza referring to Among, whom he alleges has been misusing taxpayer funds.

Entebbe Senior Magistrate Grade One, Edgar Tibayeita Tusiime stated that the court had reached its’ conviction in the case that had gone for almost a year after adducing of evidence presented to the court by the prosecution that included three witnesses namely; Fred Tumusiime who serves as a special liaison officer between the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Ugandan police, Detective Corporal Congo Richard and SP Henry Kenneth Angura.

According to Mr. Tibayeita, Mr. Tumusiime had told the court that on seeing Musuuza’ videos posted on his TikTok account, he immediately perceived that the utterances were intent on ridiculing President Museveni, his son Muhoozi and the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and that it was the reason for opening up a case against Musuuza and him being tracked and subsequently arrested.

Mr Tibayeita further added that the defense counsel opted not to present evidence to the court during the trial and they questioned whether the court had jurisdiction to hear the case, to which the court overruled when they requested for the case to be dismissed.

In his submission, State Attorney Paul Ahebwa noted that Musuuza’s case is not an isolated one but part of a growing trend by social media users inciting hatred through malicious publications and then defending their utterances on the pretext of exercising their constitutional freedom of expression. 

The attorney further asked the court to hand Musuuza the maximum sentence tenable so as to show him that human rights are only enjoyable subject to mutual respect.

However, the lead defense lawyer Mr. Jonathan Elotu asked the court for a lenient sentence, arguing that Musuuza is a breadwinner for his family and that it was his first offense and he had spent over 10 months in remand.

Mr. Mahad Kawuma, another lawyer who is part of the defense team further argued that a severe imposition of a custodial sentence will not only punish the convict but bring about a chilling effect on the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

“It is our prayer that the sentence balances deterrence with the protection of his freedom. He has already suffered public shame and social consequences for these offences and hence we pray for leniency since the accused has had time to reflect on his actions while in prison, so I pray,” said Mr. Kawuma.

Magistrate Tusiime stated that the court will consider submissions from both the state and defence sides and that judgement on the case will be passed on Friday.