Police trying to verify Luzinda nude photos

By Jeff Lule & Cecilia Okoth

KAMPALA - Police have sought the opinion of forensic experts to establish whether the nude photographs that went viral recently were of local musician Desire Luzinda.

The move is part of a wider Police investigation into the matter.

The emergence of the graphic images via social media immediately sparked off debate, with opinion divided among Ugandans, and even beyond the borders.

Of this division was a side that was highly critical of the female musician, blaming her on moral grounds. One wrote on her social media timeline: "How can a whole musician, a model to so many young girls out there, do such a thing?"

But on the flip-side, a section of the public sympathized with Luzinda, with many saying she was only a victim of circumstance.

A fan of hers wrote: "Poor girl, it's not her fault that the pictures leaked. It was not her own doing. Blame the Nigerian instead [referring to the singer's boyfriend who reportedly leaked the pictures]".

But while she has already come out to apologize to her fans for the leaked pictures, it is understood she has claimed that, some of the photos doing rounds on social media that are reportedly of her, are not really hers.

The Police commissioner in charge of media crimes, Simon Kuteesa, told journalists at a press briefing that the singer had disowned some of the photos published on the various social media outlets.

'Sexual excitement or not'

“She recorded a statement, disowning some of the graphic videos and photos. We are now using information technology experts to investigate and verify the photos,” Kuteesa said at the Police headquarters in Naguru.

The police had summoned Luzinda earlier this month to record a statement explaining what had transpired between her and her Nigerian lover, Franklin Emuobor, who allegedly posted the nude photos on social media.

Among the tasks of the experts is to prove whether the photos were taken in sexual excitement or not.

“Right now, we are treating Luzinda as a victim because these pictures can be a result of Photoshop [a graphics editor]. Until investigations are done, she remains a victim,” he added.

The deputy director of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate, Godfrey Musana, said they had started investigating the Nigerian, Franklin Emuobor, who allegedly posted the nude photos on social media.

“Once it is proven that he posted them, we shall seek a warrant of arrest through Interpol so that he faces the law,” he added.

Police chief Kale Kayihura said such cases are hard to prove, until thorough investigations are done.


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