Stella Nyanzi further remanded over misuse of social media

Nov 22, 2018

Unlike in the past, Nyanzi, 47, appeared calm before a court which was packed with her relatives and friends, and remained tight lipped, only seen taking notes.

Stella Nyanzi in court  (Picture by Ssozi Karim)

CYBER CRIME

COURT - The embattled Makerere University researcher, Dr. Stella Nyanzi accused of misusing social media has been further remanded.

On Thursday, Buganda Road Court resident state attorney, Janat Kitimbo informed court that investigations in the matter are complete, prompting the trial Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu to fix the matter for hearing on December 10.

"Since the investigations into the matter are complete. I will begin hearing the case on December 10," Kamasanyu ruled.

Kamasanyu also directed the state to disclose all the necessary evidence to the defence lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde before trial kick offs to enable the accused prepare her defence.

Nyanzi has been remanded until then having opted to stay on remanded until the completion of her trial.

Unlike in the past, Nyanzi, 47, appeared calm before a court which was packed with her relatives and friends, and remained tight lipped, only seen taking notes.
 
Nyanzi is battling two charges of cyber harassment and offensive communication relating to her abusive posts against President Yoweri Museveni, and the President's late mother.

Prosecution alleges that on September 16, Nyanzi posted on her Facebook page indecent words against the president and his late mother.

According to the state, the said posts were intended to disturb their peace and right to privacy.


This is not the first time Nyanzi is charged with similar offences.

On April, 10, 2017, Nyanzi was charged in the same court with two counts of Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication under section 24, and 25 of the Computer Misuse Act, 2011.

Stella Nyanzi talks to her Lawyer, Isaac Ssemakadde in court (Picture by Ssozi Karim)


However, to date her trial never kicked off.

Punishment

On offensive communication, any person who willfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty four currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

While Cyber Harassment, a person who willfully, maliciously and repeatedly uses electronic communication to harass another person and makes a threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety or to a member of that person's immediate family commits the crime of cyber stalking and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred and twenty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.

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