Stella Nyanzi trial kicks off Friday

CRIME | COURT

KAMPALA - The trial of former Makerere University researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi, accused of indecent communication against President Yoweri Museveni is slated to kick off Friday morning at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court.

About a fortnight ago, the trial Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu dismissed Nyanzi's application in which she sought to have the charges against her dismissed on grounds that they were defective.

The Magistrate set March 1, 2019 to commence hearing evidence from the prosecution witnesses.

Nyanzi, a mother of three is charged with two counts of cyber harassment and offensive communication in regard to her alleged indecent communication against President Museveni and his late mother Esiteeri Kokundeka.

The case

Prosecution alleges that on September 16, 2018, Nyanzi posted on her Facebook wall indecent words against the president and his late mother.

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

The law

Under the law, 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.

In regard to 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 to a fine or imprisonment term not exceeding five years or both.