Security agencies have arrested a 20-year-old man for impersonating a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and making inciting statements in a video that circulated widely on social media, police have said.
The suspect, identified as Ivan Musana, was apprehended following the circulation of a TikTok video in which he appeared wearing a military jacket and allegedly made remarks deemed provocative and misleading.
According to police, preliminary investigations established that Musana is not a member of the UPDF and had falsely presented himself as a serving officer while recording the video.
“He was tracked and arrested in Bukedea District and is currently detained at Kawempe Police Station as investigations continue,” said SP Rachael Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson.
SP Kawala explained that the case file will be forwarded to the Office of the Resident State Attorney for legal review and guidance on possible charges.
The arrest comes as Uganda inches closer to the General Elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, a period police say requires heightened responsibility, especially in the use of digital platforms.
“As the country approaches the general elections, we remind the public to use social media responsibly,” SP Kawala said.
“Any content that amounts to threats, hate speech, incitement, or impersonation of security personnel is punishable under the law and may lead to prosecution.”
Police have urged members of the public to refrain from spreading misleading or inflammatory content online, warning that such actions could undermine public order and security during the electoral period.
