Lira man arrested over hate speech TikTok video

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LIRA - A 39-year-old man has been arrested by the Police in Lira city on charges relating to computer misuse after allegedly recording and circulating a video containing hate speech directed at President Yoweri Museveni.  

North Kyoga region Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said the suspect, Fred Okuja of Anai Oki Cell, Anai Ward, Lira City West, was arrested at about 12:12pm on October 1, 2025. The Police say the video, which was shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, depicts remarks and imagery that constituted hate speech. 

Okema, who said Okuja is detained at Lira City Central Police Division while investigations continue, appealed to the public to refrain from spreading hate speech or misusing computer systems. He warned that such conduct is criminal under the Computer Misuse Act and other relevant Ugandan statutes.

In 2022, the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act was signed into law to make provision for the safety and security of electronic transactions and information systems; to prevent unlawful access, abuse or misuse of information systems, including computers and to make provision for securing the conduct of electronic transactions in a trustworthy electronic environment and to provide for other related matters. 

Previous arrests

The arrest of the Lira man follows several others over the misuse of social media and digital platforms.

Peter Walakira, 21, a comedian, was on October 18, 2024, remanded over allegedly using a computer to threaten a toddler. The resident of Wakiso district-based Nalumunye Jomayi Estate, was arraigned before Makindye chief magistrate's court in Kampala. The comedian allegedly sent social media users into shock when he recorded a video 'dueting' a one-year-old toddler posted by the mother, saying words that left parents in fear of their children's safety. 

Another TikToker, Rasto Kalanzi, who claimed to be part of the Allied Democratic Forces group that allegedly attacked a school in Kasese district where over 40 people were killed, was arressted and arraigned before a Lugazi Magistrate's Court in Buikwe district.

Another individual, Christian Sythn Briton Kasule, a 27-year-old businessman from the Kampala city suburb of Busega was arrested and investigated over inciting the public to steal electricity after posting a TikTok video in which he bragged about illegally reconnecting power and encouraged others to do the same. 

The video, which was posted on June 12, 2025, showed Kasule reconnecting electricity using previously disconnected supply wires known as “solido,” in defiance of efforts by the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to crack down on illegal connections. 

In the video, Kasule appeared to boast openly about the act, urging the public to take similar action whenever electricity is disconnected, thereby promoting tampering with national power infrastructure. 

Authorities said his actions constituted serious offences under the Electricity Act, including unauthorised reconnection, theft of electricity, and working on electrical systems without a valid permit.