S.6 student jailed for calling Gen. Muhoozi 'Gay'

Edison Ssemugenyi, a student from Lwengo, used his TikTok account @iam_edson to announce the fake death of President Museveni and to claim Muhoozi was involved in a same-sex relationship.

A 20-year-old Senior Six student has been slapped with six years in prison for spreading shocking fake news about President Yoweri Museveni and CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Edison Ssemugenyi, a student from Lwengo, used his TikTok account @iam_edson to announce the fake death of President Museveni and to claim Muhoozi was involved in a same-sex relationship.

He pleaded guilty before Nakawa Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi, who ruled that the President and CDF must be respected, and malicious posts cannot be taken lightly.

Although the law allows for a fine, Nyadoi said a prison term was necessary. She, however, noted that Ssemugenyi was a first-time offender, still a student, and had saved the court’s time by pleading guilty.

Ssemugenyi begged for forgiveness, saying he was in the middle of UACE exams and that the case had stressed his parents.

Despite pleading guilty to malicious information, Ssemugenyi denied a separate hate speech charge which carries up to five years in jail.

The State says he also posted that “Museveni is a thief”, content prosecutors say could incite hostility against the President.

The hate speech trial is set for January 16, 2026.