In a development at Buganda Road Court, Ibrahim Musana, popularly known as “Pressure 24/7” on TikTok, has been granted bail after more than 60 days in custody.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi presided over the hearing early Monday morning, where Musana was granted bail of Shs2m (Ugandan Shillings).
Musana, whose detainment stemmed from charges related to hate speech and disseminating malicious information, faced accusations of ridiculing and inciting hostility towards prominent figures including Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, and Minister Joyce Nabbossa Ssebugwawo.
Allegations stated that Musana utilized his TikTok platform, primarily between August 2023 and February 2024, to share content deemed offensive and degrading towards these leaders.
During the court proceedings today, Musana presented two aunties as sureties, a move that was deemed acceptable by the court after previous surety arrangements were found inadequate. However, alongside his bail conditions, Musana was sternly warned against engaging in abusive or offensive online behavior.
Chief Magistrate Kayizzi explicitly cautioned that any recurrence of such behavior would result in the cancellation of his bail, prompting a return to prison.
Furthermore, Musana’s defense highlighted unique circumstances surrounding his case, where he claimed that he had been spiritually compelled by deceased Buganda kings to restore their tombs but faced financial constraints in fulfilling these demands. Musanas said in court that he reportedly sought acknowledgment from Buganda Kingdom, asserting his status as a prince, yet received no response.
In response to the charges, Musana expressed remorse and vowed to refrain from targeting public figures online, pledging to remove all contentious content from his TikTok account.
Kayizzi recorded Musana’s plea of not guilty, leading to his remand to Luzira Prison until March 7th due to initial documentation concerns with his sureties.
The controversy surrounding Musana’s detention intensified with reports of questionable medical procedures conducted while in custody. Concerns were raised by his lawyers over the extraction of Musana’s blood samples without legal representation present. Further compounded by undisclosed medical treatments administered during his time at the prison hospital.
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