The Local comedy group Bizonto, who were last year arrested and detained for promoting sectarianism and inciting violence have been re-arrested.
On July 15, 2020 the group posted a video calling upon people to pray for their government leaders. In the video, they listed President Yoweri Museveni and the other heads of government bodies including the Electoral Commission, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Prisons, Bank of Uganda, Ministry of Finance, Internal Security Organization, and the Uganda Police as the country’s most important top leaders.
According to Police Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department ‘CIID’ spokesperson Charles Twine, the comedy group is accused of promoting sectarianism, causing hatred and unnecessary apprehension with the video and will appear at Buganda Road Court today to answer for the charges.
“They are on their way to Buganda Road court. They had a sanctioned file for allegations of promoting sectarianism,” Twine said.
The four radio Simba presenters popularly known for their stage name Bizonto, loosely translated as ‘the foolish’ real names, Julius Sserwanja, Simon Peter Ssabakaki, Merceli Mbabali, and Gold Kimatono were picked from their work place at Radio Simba premises in Bukoto.
In the penal code, promoting sectarianism is punishable with five years in prison.