“At least eight artists belonging to Ugandan group Crane Performers were on Saturday arrested for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni while he was delivering a speech at a hotel in Kampala, where celebrations of Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s wedding anniversary were taking place. The eight performers who were attending the same event with Museveni are said to have been heard saying the Ugandan president was speaking too much and that he should end his speech. According to the Monitor, the eight had their microphones on when they made the utterances that were picked in the hotel’s sound system and heard by majority of those attending the event. The artists will be charged with insulting the person of the president“(Edward Chweya – ‘Eight Artists Arrested For Insulting Museveni At A Wedding Anniversary’ 08.04.2024, Citizen Digital).
The Freedom Fighter and liberator of the 1980s are known for using the Penal Code Act of 1950 in his favour. The colonial law which has several of articles, that has been substantial in his iron grip of the state.
People are laughing at the arrest of 8 musicians today and it shows how foolish his government is, but we have seen this before. Artists, activists and politicians have tasted the bitter fruits of the Penal Code Act. The Crane Performs follows several others who has been here.
You should never offend the “don” or the Leopards Anus. He is Untouchable, the Fountain of Honour and His Excellency can ensure the demise of others, if he feels annoyed or ridiculed. That what happened at the Wedding Anniversary this month.
Here is the Penal Code that matters…
“24. Penalty for acts intended to alarm, annoy or ridicule the President
Any person who, with intent to alarm or annoy or ridicule the President—
(a)
wilfully throws any matter or substance at or upon the person of the President;
(b)
wilfully strikes the person of the President; or
(c)
assaults or wrongfully restrains the person of the President,
commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life” (Penal Code Act, 1950).
If the President and his party believed in the utterance of the public. He could have amended this part of the Penal Code. The Penal Code has been amended several of times and this article could have been taken of the earth. It could have become a relic of history. However, it is still active in the year of 2024 and people will be charged because of it.
It takes nothing to offend the President. President Museveni is easily annoyed and offended, which is a reason for several of people detained, charged and taken into custody over their utterances in public. The musicians now are the latest ones… and there will be more than these. As this law is active and will be used whenever the President deem fit. He will order it and ensure the demise of others. They will learn a lesson and that the President is the “high above”. Peace.