Veteran Ugandan musician Moses Nsubuga alias Viboyo is in custody after he was smoked out of hiding by police for insulting President Yoweri Museveni in a song.
According to local media, Viboyo is being detained at Jinja Road Police Station on charges of offensive communication for insulting Museveni and the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
In a statement, the spokesman of Uganda’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations Vincent Ssekatte, the singer used obscene words in the song to attack government leaders.
"Viboyo is detained at Jinja Road Police Station on charges of offensive communication. In the song, he abused several leaders and tribes in Uganda which is illegal. He has been in hiding and we had to track him for days until we arrested him in Kampala city. He is being held on offensive communication offences," said Ssekatte.
The country’s Computer Misuse Act 2011 on offensive communication states, “Any person who willfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues commits a misdemeanour and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty-four currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.”
This comes days after Kyaddondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi better known as Bobi Wine appeared in court in the northern city of Gulu to face a charge of treason.
Wine’s troubles peaked after Museveni’s convoy was allegedly stoned at a political rally in the northern town of Arua. The singer’s driver was shot dead in the melee. Wine was later arrested.
He claimed he was tortured while in detention.