Kankweza Charged and remanded to Kitalya

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Court in Kampala has charged and remanded novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija to Kitalya Prison until January 21 when the next hearing of mentioned charges will happen.

Kakwenza, a satirical writer and tweep was arrested last year on December 28, 2021, by security operatives from his home in Kisasi for allegedly making abusive, derogatory, and belittling tweets against the person of President Museveni and First son, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba — the commander of UPDF land forces.

Since his arrest, Kakwenza had not been arraigned before any court despite various calls by human rights defenders to either produce and charge him before a court of law or release him unconditionally.

In an order released by the High Court on Monday, police and other security agencies were directed to produce Kakwenza in court which police heed to and brought him to Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court today at around 9am.

Presiding over the case today morning, Buganda Road Court Magistrate Judge Douglas Singiza read to Kakwenza two counts of offensive communication, C/S 25 of the computer misuse act 2011 to which he pleaded “not guilty” before being remanded to Kitalya Prison.

Prosecution alleges that Kakwenza on December 24, 2021, in the Kampala District, willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handle @KakwenzaRukira to disturb the peace of His Excellency the President of Uganda, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with no purpose of legitimate communication.

The prosecution further contends that Kakwenza between December 26 and 28, in the Kampala District willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handle @KakwenzaRukira to disturb the peace of Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with no purpose of legitimate communication.

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