Tiktoker charged over hate speech after threatening to kill NRM supporters

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Henry Bossa, also known as General Taiga and Musege, an opposition supporter who shared a video on social media allegedly threatening to kill supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been charged with hate speech and incitement to violence and remanded.

Bossa appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday (February 2) and was arraigned before Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom, where he denied the charges.

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

“Your worship, we pray for a date for mention and the accused remanded,” Atukunda told court.

Counsel Jonathan Elotu, representing the accused, did not oppose the adjournment but asked for a short one.

“Your worship, the way under which the accused person was arrested, he was picked up from his home, none of his family members know actually where he is now, and he was taken to an ungazetted detention facility,” Elotu submitted.

He added that it would be in the best interest of justice for the court to grant a short adjournment to allow him to make a more comprehensive application at the next hearing.

The magistrate subsequently remanded the accused to Luzira Prison until February 11, 2026, for mention.

Background

Bossa was arrested on January 26, 2026, by joint security forces shortly after recording the video. Confirming his arrest, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said, “We have captured this terrorist. He said people who support NRM should be killed. He is going to pay for his crimes.”

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.