TikToker accused of threatening to kill NRM supporters denied bail

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The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to Henry Bossa, also known as General Taiga and Musege, an opposition supporter accused of sharing a video on social media allegedly threatening to kill supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

When the case came up for mention and hearing of his bail application yesterday, Bossa’s lawyer, Jonathan Elotu, informed the court that he had instructions to apply for bail.

Elotu told the court that his client has a fixed place of abode and substantial sureties ready to stand for him.

The accused presented two sureties, George Ssewagudde 66, and Godfrey Lumu 50, both described as his friends in a bid to secure his release on bail.

However, Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom denied him bail, ruling that she was not convinced the sureties would be able to ensure his return to court.

During the proceedings, the accused, Bossa, told the court that he was arrested from his home and taken to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters, where he alleged he was beaten and tortured.

He claimed that at one point, there was fear at the CMI detention facilities that he might die due to the severity of the beatings, saying he was repeatedly punched in the stomach.

He further alleged that although there were plans to take him to the hospital, this did not happen, and he was instead given medication.

“I was forced to make a statement. After I was brought to court, I would have made that statement at Kira Police Station,” Bossa told the court.

State Attorney Rita Atukunda informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

The case was adjourned to February 18, 2026.

Last week, Bossa was arraigned before the same magistrate and denied charges of hate speech and incitement to violence.

Background

Bossa was arrested on January 26, 2026, by joint security forces shortly after recording the video.

On the first count of hate speech, contrary to Section 26(1) and (2) of the Computer Misuse Act, the State alleges that Bossa, between January 2025 and January 2026, at various locations in Uganda including Kayunga, Kampala and Luwero districts, used a computer via a TikTok account to send or share information that was inflammatory and likely to promote hostility against other tribes or ethnicities.

On the second count of incitement to violence, contrary to Section 47(1)(a) and (b) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128, the State alleges that Bossa, during the same period and locations, published statements calculated to cause death or physical injury to supporters of the NRM or to lead to the destruction or damage of property.

Bossa denied all the charges and was remanded until February 11, 2026.

His arrest comes amid an ongoing security crackdown on social media users accused of using online platforms to incite violence.

In July 2024, Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court sentenced a 24-year-old man to six years in prison for insulting the President and the First Family through a video posted on TikTok.

Edward Awebwa was convicted of hate speech and spreading misleading and malicious information against President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the head of the military.

Court heard that Awebwa had shared abusive content and claimed that taxes would increase under President Museveni.

He pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.