KAMPALA: The head of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo, said on Saturday that a recent court case involving jailed TikTok commentator Dean Lubowa Saava had exposed what he described as a growing “business model” of using social media to spread false allegations and extort money from public officials and business leaders.
Posting on X early Saturday, Nyombi said Lubowa had admitted in court to fabricating allegations he had widely circulated online, including claims that a senior government official had received a large bribe.
“After more than 150 days in Luzira prison, TikTok commentator Dean Lubowa Saava stood before the court and admitted what many had suspected but few could prove: the allegations he spread were lies,” Nyombi wrote. “Not exaggerations. Not misunderstandings. Lies.”
The comments came weeks after Lubowa, proprietor of the online platform TV10 – Gano Mazima, pleaded guilty to several communications-related offences before the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye.
Court records show Lubowa was charged with installing and operating broadcasting equipment without a licence, broadcasting without authorisation, and disobeying lawful directives issued by the communications regulator.
Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu sentenced him to a series of fines totalling Shs 4 million, with alternative prison terms if unpaid.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of 45 broadcasting devices seized from his studio in Lungujja, Rubaga...
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