Lira, Uganda – Police in Lira have arrested a 39-year-old man accused of insulting President Yoweri Museveni in a video that has been widely shared on TikTok and WhatsApp.
The suspect, identified as Fred Okuja, a resident of Anai Oki Cell in Lira City West Division, was picked up on Wednesday afternoon under the Computer Misuse Act.
Content of the Video
In the recording, delivered in both English and Leb Lango, Okuja launched a verbal attack on the President, accusing him of blocking Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) leader Jimmy James Michael Akena from contesting in the 2026 presidential elections.
He described Museveni as “barbaric” and issued warnings of possible violence, drawing comparisons with former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
“You recruit soldiers from among the communities and should know that your guns cannot kill all of us. Gaddafi tried but could not kill everyone. If you want to cause war, we are not scared,” Okuja is heard saying in the video.
Okuja also accused the President of marginalising Northern Uganda, while favouring his home area of Rwakitura. He claimed cattle were distributed to every household there but not in the north.
Police Response
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, confirmed the arrest. He said officers moved in after reviewing the video and that investigations are ongoing.
Okuja’s detention adds to a growing list of arrests made under the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022.
The Law
The amended law criminalises “offensive communication,” which it defines as the wilful and repeated use of electronic communication to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quiet, or privacy of another person without legitimate purpose.
If convicted, Okuja could face up to one year in prison, a fine, or both
