MASAKA — Police in Masaka have arrested a journalist and two TikTok content creators over allegations of publishing false information targeting Masaka City Woman MP-elect Justine Nameere.
The suspects have been identified as Frank Bwekumbule, a journalist with Impact FM, alongside TikTok users Frank Kagwa and Joseph Kikawa. They are accused of sharing videos on social media, alleging that Nameere obtained coffee seedlings from farmers without paying for them.
According to Greater Masaka regional police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye, the claims are unfounded and were intended to damage the politician’s reputation.
“The suspects posted content claiming that Nameere took coffee seedlings without payment. These allegations are false, malicious and intended to tarnish her reputation,” Kasirye said.
Police say preliminary investigations found no evidence to support the claims, prompting the arrests.
“The information shared on TikTok was defamatory in nature and not backed by facts,” Kasirye added, warning that authorities will continue to act against the spread of misinformation.
Reports indicate that in some of the videos, the suspects allegedly referred to Nameere using derogatory terms, further escalating the matter.
The three suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue, with police indicating that they could face charges related to cyber harassment and defamation.
Authorities have also issued a broader warning to the public, particularly social media users, to verify information before sharing it online.
“We caution members of the public against spreading unverified information on digital platforms. Those found culpable will face the law,” Kasirye said.
The arrest has sparked debate within media and public circles about the balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility to avoid publishing unverified or harmful content.
