Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-26 16:49:48
TikToker Ibrahim Musana, popularly known as Pressure 24/7, raised concerns at Buganda Road Magistrate’s court regarding the extraction of his blood samples without his consent. Represented by his legal team, Musana, who is facing charges of hate speech, shared his grievances during a court hearing presided over by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayiizi.
The prosecution alleges that between August 2023 and February 2024, in various locations within Kampala district, Musana used his TikTok account to disseminate information that could potentially degrade, demean, and incite hostility against four prominent leaders – Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, President Yoweri Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among, and State Minister for ICT Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo.
One of Musana’s lawyers, Gideon Masamba, informed the court that his client’s blood samples were taken while he was in Luzira prison on remand. Masamba further stated that Musana was then transferred to the prison hospital for unspecified treatment, which should have been conducted in the presence of his legal representatives. The court was also informed that the medical tests were carried out three weeks after his remand began, prompting Magistrate Kayiizi to inquire about Musana’s health status, to which he responded negatively. The prison authorities clarified that medical tests are mandatory for all new inmates to prevent the spread of diseases like tuberculosis.
State attorney Ivan Kyazze updated the court on the progress of the investigations and requested an additional 14 days to finalize the inquiries. Musana appeared before the court but did not enter a direct plea to the charges. He expressed unawareness that his videos constituted an offense, citing his previous admission to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital due to psychological issues.
Musana claimed that he was haunted by the spirits of deceased Buganda kings, urging him to repair their tombs despite facing financial constraints. He mentioned attempting to notify Buganda Kingdom of his royal lineage and the spirits’ demands but received no response. To seek forgiveness, Musana pledged to refrain from attacking leaders and to delete all hate speech content from his TikTok account. Magistrate Kayiizi remanded him back to Luzira prison until April 11.
The court proceedings shed light on Musana’s personal struggles and the complexities surrounding his mental health condition, which he attributed to his actions on social media. The legal battle underscores the importance of considering an individual’s mental well-being in the context of criminal offenses.
Overall, the case of TikToker Pressure 24/7 serves as a reminder of the intersection between technology, free speech, mental health, and legal accountability in the digital age. The outcome of this trial will likely have implications for how society addresses similar cases involving online content creators and their responsibilities.
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