DP man held for death threats on Museveni
President Museveni
Kampala- Police have arrested an Opposition activist who allegedly posted an audio on social media containing death threats against President Museveni, his son and several other National Resistance Movement supporters.
Mr Mulangira Hope Kaweesa, a Democratic Party supporter, was arrested last week on charges of offensive communication the audio posed on a WhatsApp forum.
The CID spokesman, Mr Vincent Ssekatte, said they were still analysing whether the voice in the audio is for Kaweesa.
“If it isn’t his voice, then he has to tell us whose voice it is because he shared it. If it is his, he has to tell us about his plans to assassinate the President and Members of Parliament,” Mr Ssekatte said.
Since the assassination of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga on June 8, the police have become more aggressive on people who post suspect offensive statements on social media.
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze was arrested 10 days ago over similar allegations and has been under police custody.
Mr Ssekatte said in the audio, allegedly shared by Kaweesa, the communicator threatened to kill President Museveni, Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite.
Others are Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, former Minister for Security, and Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, who spearheaded the amendment of the Constitution Bill to remove the presidential age limit.
The person speaking in the audio said Mr Museveni and others will be killed for amending the Constitution to allow him to stand for president after turning 75 years.
What the law says
Misuse. According to Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 on offensive communication, “Any person who willfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues commits a misdemeanour and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 24 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both”.
Twenty-four currency points is an equivalent of Shs480,000.
Presidents warning. In three consecutive addresses to Parliament, President Museveni warned people using social media to threaten his supporters.
