Kampala, Uganda | URN | Ugandan blogger and self-confessed regime apologist Ibrahim Tusubira alias Isma Olaxess has been charged with incitement to violence.
Tusubira on Wednesday 24, November 2021 appeared before the Buganda Road Grade one Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza. The 58-year-old was arrested on November 21. The prosecution alleges that on November 17 while at Kyanja village in Wakiso district, Tusubira incited the public to commit terrorism, an offense that is punishable by death.
Police, in its statement of offense also accuses Tusubira of promoting sectarianism contrary to section 41(1) (a) and (d) of the penal code.
“Tusubira Ibrahim alias Isma Olaxess on the 17th day of November 2021 at Kyanja village in the Wakiso district recorded and published a video with utterances likely to degrade, revile, expose to hatred or contempt; raise discontent or disaffection and promote in many other ways feelings of ill will or hostility among or against any group of persons on account of religion,” reads the charge sheet in part.
The video went viral on social media following last week’s twin bombings in Kampala which left seven people dead and 37 others injured.
In the video, Tusubira urged terrorists to specifically bomb the Parliament of Uganda and churches so as to kill en masse Christians in revenge for what he called continued persecution of Muslims. He said every time there is a terror attack, innocent Muslims are profiled and arrested or killed by the State.
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Uganda has suffered four bombings in two months, leading to the death of 9 people. At least 12 suspected terrorists (most of them carrying Islamic names) have been gunned down by the state and more than 100 arrested.
President Museveni said the youth are being radicalized by religious leaders to commit acts of terror against their own country.
Tusubira who is not new to inciting violence against Ugandans asked for bail saying that he had heart disease. Last year he blamed security for killing only 54 people during the 2-day street protests following the arrest of Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
He said the state ought to have killed thousands of youth to send a message to Ugandans that the state and President Museveni are always in charge. He also called for violent attacks against Kyagulanyi’s children and wife Barbie Itungo, who she said is a Rwandan national spying for neighbouring Rwanda. He was never summoned for those utterances.
Tusubira was granted a cash bail of Shs 1 million while his sureties Yudaya Kigozi, Mohammed Ssebalamu, Sharifah Nabukeera were asked for Shs 50 million non-cash. The case was adjourned to December 21.
