A 20-year-old student in Uganda has been sentenced to six months in prison. Edison Ssemugenyi was convicted of spreading false information about President Yoweri Museveni.
According to Ugandan news sources, he appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Ssemugenyi was convicted under the Computer Misuse Act and was sentenced after pleading guilty to two charges of malicious information.
The Social Media Posts
Edison Ssemugenyi, a Senior Six student, used his personal TikTok account to publish the offending material. The posts were made between August and November 2025.
He falsely claimed that President Museveni was seriously ill and bedridden. The prosecution stated that these claims attracted wide attention online.
READ TOO: Roy Otieno and Other TikTokers Arrested by DCI This Year & Reasons for Arrest
Ssemugenyi also faced charges for making abusive statements against the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He spread information alleging that Gen. Kainerugaba was homosexual.
State prosecutors labelled both statements as "knowingly false and harmful".
Arrest and Sentencing
The student was arrested last month. This occurred shortly after he had completed only two papers of his Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations. Ssemugenyi was brought before Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi.
While entering his plea, Ssemugenyi admitted to making the posts. He also pleaded for leniency from the court.
The Court’s Reasoning
Chief Magistrate Nyadoi noted that the offences involved misleading the public. She also pointed out that they showed disrespect toward national figures.
The magistrate stressed that such conduct could cause unnecessary alarm. She emphasised that social media users must exercise responsibility when expressing themselves online.
The court acknowledged Ssemugenyi’s young age and his decision to plead guilty, which saved the court time. However, the magistrate ruled that the offences were serious enough to warrant punishment.
Although the law allows for a fine, the magistrate found this option unsuitable. She stressed that the President and Chief of Defence Forces deserved respect.
Ssemugenyi was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He was immediately remanded to begin serving his term at Luzira Prison.
Other Similar Cases
Ssemugenyi’s case is not the first one in Uganda. In recent years, several TikTokers have been charged in relation to the country’s Computer Misuse Act.
Ibrahim Musana (alias Pressure 24/7): Charged with multiple counts of hate speech and spreading malicious information for content against the President and the Kabaka of Buganda around February 2024.
ALSO READ: Ugandan TikToker Charged for 'Offensive Communication' Against Museveni
Emmanuel Nabugodi: A 21-year-old who received a 32-month sentence (in November 2024) for hate speech and spreading malicious information after posting a comedy video that held a mock trial of President Museveni.
Edward Awebwa: A 24-year-old who received a six-year jail term for demeaning President Museveni, his wife Janet Museveni, and his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Others Charged: Several other young TikTokers, including David Ssengozi (alias Lucky Choice), Isaiah Ssekagiri, and Julius Tayebwa, were arrested and charged around late 2024 for similar offenses against the First Family and are currently awaiting trial.
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