Edison Ssemugenyi, a 20-year-old Senior Six student, has been sentenced to six months in prison after he admitted to spreading false information about President Yoweri Museveni and making hate speech against the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Ssemugenyi was arrested last month after sitting only two papers of the #UACE2025 examinations. According to court records, he posted claims online saying that President Museveni was bedridden and made offensive comments about Gen. Muhoozi. He pleaded guilty to these charges.
While delivering the sentence, the magistrate said the court must take a strong stand against the misuse of online platforms. “The court must discourage the misuse of online platforms to spread falsehoods and harmful speech,” the magistrate noted.
However, Ssemugenyi denied a separate charge accusing him of posting a TikTok video calling President Museveni a thief. The court will handle this charge separately.
The sentence has attracted strong reactions from the public, including activist Winnie Byanyima, who is also the wife of jailed opposition politician Dr. Kiiza Besigye. She condemned the jailing of the student, calling it excessive and unfair.
“Locking up a student over a minor lie is disgraceful. Let him sit his exams. Let him go. #FreeSsemugenyi,” Byanyima posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Locking up a student over a minor lie is disgraceful.
Let him sit his exams. Let him go.#FreeSsemugenyi https://t.co/dqJSSsLmsz— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) December 9, 2025
Many Ugandans online have joined the call for Ssemugenyi’s release, arguing that a young student should be given a chance to complete his education.