Makerere University researcher Dr Stella Nyanzi has been convicted of cyber harassment by Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu.
In her ruling, Kamasanyu said Dr Nyanzi’s Facebook post “corrupts the minds of the young generation” and that “…it doesn’t in any way communicate any message. It is vulgar. It was offensive.”
Nyanzi never got to defend herself in this trial, as none of her 20 witnesses she had lined up showed up to testify. Cyber harassment attracts a maximum sentence of three years or a fine of Shs1.4m. The State Prosecution asked court to give her a custodial sentence even though she is a first time offender.
Nyanzi however was acquitted on the charge of Offensive Communication. She has been on remand since November last year following her arrest where she was accused of disturbing the peace of President Yoweri Museveni and his late mother Esteri Kokundeka.
“I am disappointed that you don’t find me guilty of offending the president. I plan on offending Yoweri Museveni Kaguta again because he has offended us,” Stella vowed.