COMPUTER MISUSE LAW IN UGANDA; A threat to the Entertainment Industry

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A threat to the Entertainment Industry

Following the inception of the Computer Misuse (amendment Act) 2022, several analysts have critiqued it in the legal and political direction and no doubt, have managed to elaborate the great mischief it carries along in the lanes of realizing political and social freedom.

(Members of Uganda Musicians Association gathered for national prayer day on Nov. 2, 2022 at Rubaga Cathedral in commemoration of their deceased fellow artistes)


That notwithstanding, a musician, socialite alias “slay queen/king,” social media influencers and any member of the entertainment industry to which I belong, is most likely to be affected adversely.

Notably, today’s web and the new media underpin the ability to create instant communication sensations. From Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tiktok, Instagram and a collection of blogs, a news statement can advance from zero to 20 million viewers overnight. The viral nature of this highly social, user-driven environment enables complete strangers to connect over common beliefs, desires or interests and together create winners and losers.

Tiktokers undoubtedly, will be affected by section 23A when it comes with sharing information that tends to ridicule or demean another person and risk being imprisoned for 7 years if they can’t afford Ugx. 15 million.

It is no doubt that entertainment is partially a game of showbiz and very many entertainers are earning a living through sharing information on social media platforms with or without permission of whom it concerns but this may have ended a few days back before the new law came into play.

Bloggers who post “wolokoso w’abayimbi” aka “gossip” may also pay Ugx.15m when things turn around, like was recently seen in the Omulangira Ssuna’s saga and journalist Kawalya. It gets rather scary when the term sharing “unsolicited information” remains ambiguous as anyone may fall culprit therefore. Currently, it’s no doubt that any intended hit song has gone through thousands tiktok challenges before it gets booming, but how sad it gets when digital creators are highly threatened in their creations. Song writers and singers will need extra care when making compositions as such lyrics or phrases which tend to demean a class of people or create divisions may attract criminal punishment; take for instance the common “ndi omunyankole” phrase. Much as children have currently held the centre of attention as dancers in music videos, video directors must take caution to acquire necessary permission from the child’s parents as under section 22A.

Leaking nudity has been a trend of late with periodical leaks from purporting campus students. Those who leak such information through unauthorized means may also suffer extravagantly.

Music is definitely stunted, information slowed down, fear and ignorance accelerated and above all, freedom mutilated.

 

Ahimbisibwe Innocent Benjamin

innopianist4@gmail.com

 Entertainment Lawyer

 

 

Location: Uganda

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