KAMPALA: Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a novelist, has been charged with two counts of Offensive Communication and remanded to Kitalya prison until January 21, 2022.
Buganda Road Court presided over by Magistrate Douglas Singiza on Tuesday read to Kakwenza two counts of offensive communication contrary to Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011.
However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges before being remanded to Kitalya Prison.
The prosecution contends that Kakwenza on December 24, 2021, in the Kampala District, willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handle, @KakwenzaRukira, to disturb the peace of the President of Uganda, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with no purpose of legitimate communication.
The prosecution further contends that Kakwenza between December 26 and 28, in the Kampala District willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handle @KakwenzaRukira to disturb the peace of Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with no purpose of legitimate communication.
He has said he was tortured while being interrogated by military intelligence about his work.
Kakwenza has been held incommunicado since December 28, 2021 for allegedly making abusive, derogatory, and belittling tweets against President Museveni and his son, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba who is also the UPDF commander land forces.
Kakwenza won the PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage award last year.