When content creation crosses the Line: Legal risks for Ugandan TikTokers

7 January 2026, 4:50 pm

By Shadrach Bethel Afayo

Content creation has become a popular career choice among many Ugandans, with numerous individuals earning through brand endorsements and social influence.

In a country with over 11.7 million social media users, the majority of whom are young people, many are turning their creative ideas into income-generating ventures, capitalising on online trends or simply entertaining their extensive follower bases.

TikTok, in particular, has emerged as the fastest-growing social media platform in Uganda, with over five million users subscribing to the ByteDance-owned app. Globally recognised for its viral trends and rapid content dissemination, TikTok has become a favourite among Ugandan content creators.

However, this rapid growth has not been without challenges. Several countries have introduced stringent rules and guidelines governing social media and content creation, aimed at regulating online activity and preventing the incitement of violence or the promotion of hate speech.

On 14 October 2022, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022. Among its objectives, the legislation seeks to strengthen provisions against unauthorised data access, prohibit the unlawful sharing of children’s information, and restrict the dissemination of malicious or unsolicited online content, including hate speech. Furthermore, the Act regulates social media usage.

The enactment of the law sparked considerable backlash. Critics argued that it was overly broad, duplicated existing legislation, and could be misused to suppress freedom of expression and silence government critics.

Since then, several Ugandan content creators, predominantly on TikTok, have experienced the law’s punitive effects. In 2024, notable creators including David Ssengozi, Isaiah Ssekigiri, Emmanuel Nabugodi, Edward Ahebwa, and others were arrested and charged on multiple counts, including allegedly using TikTok to insult the President’s family. These individuals are currently serving prison sentences.

The trend has continued in recent years. Last year, 27-year-old Briston Kasule was arrested after posting a TikTok video in which he boasted about illegal power connections in his residential area and criticised authorities for failing to apprehend the perpetrators. Additionally, several users have been cautioned for making provocative comments under the guise of content creation; some were pardoned and instructed to remove their videos.

In August last year, a duo of TikTok content creators sparked a police manhunt by posting a video that promoted prostitution and involved a minor. Known on the platform as Maama Nakanjako and Abe Kampala Balikumbona, they had previously been summoned over another video and ordered to remove it due to vulgar language and inappropriate content.

According to Ugandan law, their actions violated the Children’s Act, which prohibits the sexual exploitation of minors by adults, whether commercial in nature or presented as humorous or entertaining content that undermines ethical and moral standards.

In the widely circulated video, Maama Nakanjako is heard suggesting that a child exhibits characteristics of a sex worker. The remarks sparked public outrage and drew the attention of the Police’s Family Protection Unit.

As the country approaches the 2026 elections, concerns are growing about the government’s intentions to curb dissent and regulate the unethical use of social media. There is increasing apprehension that digital platforms could be weaponised during the electoral period.

In a recent precedent, the government banned Facebook during the 2021 polls after the platform deleted hundreds of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter accounts suspected of being fake. Authorities initially blocked access to Facebook and later shut down the internet entirely ahead of the general elections.

With Ugandans now accessing Facebook primarily through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—a resource-intensive workaround—TikTok has emerged as a more viable alternative. Many are turning to the platform for marketing, political influence, and content creation and distribution.

However, as TikTok’s popularity continues to soar, users must adhere strictly to laws, guidelines, and policies governing digital platforms. It is essential for society to maintain a morally responsible approach that encourages the proper and developmental use of social media.