The quick arrest and remand of YouTuber Shalom Kawesa (known as Shalom 256) to Luzira Prison raised alot of concern mostly from his fans and followers wondering why he was taken away just days ahead of the holiday season.
Shalom was arrested on charges of the Computer Misuse Act, specifically addressing alleged defamation against a public figure known as Jennifer Full Figure.
The primary reason for Kawesa’s detention and charge lies in an interview he hosted in August, where a guest allegedly made derogatory comments against renowned personality Jeniffer Nakanguubi, popularly known as Full Figure.
Shalom Kawesa was formally charged with “Hate speech, contrary to Section 26 (1) (a) and 2 of the Computer Misuse Act which criminalizes the sharing of information online that is deemed likely to “degrade or demean” an individual, particularly through the use of electronic communication.
Court documents allege that during an interview on the ‘Shalom 256’ YouTube channel, a guest, Dr. Robert Kironde, referred to the complainant, Full Figure, as a “prostitute who used to sell her body at Kibuye.”
Kawesa was arrested by armed security personnel and transported directly to Makindye Magistrates Court.
Although he denied the charges, he was remanded to Luzira Prison until December 30th for two procedural reasons even though his lawyers attempt to submit a bail application was disallowed because the court proceedings concluded late in the evening, at 5:45 pm.
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