Kampala – A university student, Elson Tumwine, who was reported missing for nearly a month after posting a controversial TikTok video, has resurfaced in court.
He is now facing sentencing after admitting that the post was fabricated and harmful.
Tumwine disappeared during an internship in Hoima, prompting Makerere University to issue a public alert seeking information on his whereabouts.
Two weeks later, his reappearance in Entebbe Magistrate’s Court ignited concern over how he had disappeared and what conditions he endured during the period he was missing.
Tumwine has been charged under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act and for hate speech, stemming from a TikTok post in which he attributed statements to Speaker of Parliament Anita Among criticizing President Museveni’s apology as biased, and alleging atrocities committed in Teso.
Parliament officially denounced the video as fake and unfounded propaganda.
He pleaded guilty in court and apologized, requesting forgiveness from the magistrate
Sentencing has been scheduled for Monday, August 4, 2025, before Entebbe Grade One Magistrate Tibayeita Edgar Tusiime.
The court heard that Tumwine was held for weeks without access to legal representation, raising concern among rights advocates.
Tumwine’s case is among several recent high-profile prosecutions under the Computer Misuse Act, reflecting Uganda’s increasing regulation of online speech.
Past cases include Edward Awebwa, a TikToker sentenced to six years in prison for abusive rhetoric against the President and his family.
Many human rights groups warn that such cases exemplify a clampdown on digital spaces, affecting youth activists, content creators, and critics of government policies.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya revealed that Tumwine was located after inquiries by human rights teams and emphasized concerns about enforced disappearance and torture during detention.
Civil society groups, including Chapter Four Uganda are calling for due process and legal transparency in handling political or social media dissent.
Tumwine awaits his sentencing on August 4. It’s uncertain what penalty the court will impose under the charges. Rights groups and legal defenders are expected to monitor whether the proceedings respect statutory safeguards and allow appeals or legal representation.
The case may set a precedent in Uganda about the limits of online speech, satire, and the legal response to misinformation or defamation.
Elson Tumwine’s ordeal, his disappearance, court admission, and pending sentence highlights the fraught intersection of digital expression, political criticism, and state control in Uganda. As more young Ugandans engage online, the outcome of this case could shape the future boundaries of free speech and accountability.
Also read: Over 10 Youth Activists Arrested in Kampala for Protesting EACOP Funding by Stanbic Bank
