TOUGH TIMES: Another Fearless Ugandan Writer Thrown in Prison for Disturbing Museveni’s Peace

Ugandan writer Norman Tumuhimbise and journalist Farida Bikobere of DigiTalk online TV have will spend at least seven days on remand in Luzira Prisons for cyber stalking, offensive communication and disturbing the peace of Uganda’s long-serving President Museveni.

Tumuhimbise, 36, is not the first writer to face charges of disturbing President Museveni’s peace or that of members of the first family.

Activist, poet and academic Dr Stella Nyanzi and novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija were previously in jail for disturbing the peace of the president, and members of the first family.

Dr Nyanzi has since fled to Germany. (Read Story Here).

Rukirabashaija also fled the country weeks ago. (Read Story Here).

ENTER TUMUHIMBISE

Tumuhimbise’s troubles with the Ugandan authorities seem to be related to some of his books: The Politics of Kumanyoko, Unsowing the Mustard Seed, Liars And Accomplices. 

The launch of these books was set for March 30 at Imperial Royale.

Tumuhimbise has been an activist for years, taking part in protests against corruption, a vice responsible for loss of billions of dollars every year.

LATEST TROUBLE

Trouble for Tumuhimbise and eight others began last week when security operatives arrested them from Makindye where they run an online television named DigiTalk.

After days in detention, seven of the suspects — Arnold Mukose, programmes director; Jeremiah Mukiibi, producer; Kato Tumusiime, production; Roger Turyahabwe, production; Teddy Teangle Nabukeera, presenter; Lillian Luwedde, presenter; and Jeje Jacob Wabyona, student intern — were released on police bond.

Tumuhimbise and Farida Bikobere, a reporter, were paraded before Makindye Grade One Magistrate Rhona Tukundane.

They were charged with cyber stalking President Museveni contrary to section 26 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011, offensive communication contrary to section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 as well disturbing the peace and quiet of the president of the Republic of Uganda.

Prosecution alleges that between January 2020 and March 09, 2022, while at Lukuli, Makindye Division, in the Kampala District, Tumuhimbise, Bikobere and others still at large, willfully, maliciously and repeatedly used electronic communication to wit Alternative DigiTalk Online Television and relayed offensive information to wit the ‘Politics of Kumanyoko,’ ‘Unsowing the Mustard Seed,’ ‘Liars And Accomplices’ directed against the person of the President of the Republic of Uganda.

Tumuhimbise and Bikobere will be on remand until March 21.