Kabaka Mutebi illness reports: Museveni orders arrest of ‘irresponsible’ social media users

President Yoweri Museveni has directed police to arrest social media users and bloggers who fabricated reports of Buganda king Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s illness.

Claims that Kabaka Mutebi was sick and bedridden prompted Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga to call a press conference to address the reports.

Katikkiro Mayiga said Kabaka Mutebi was safe and sound.

He blamed the reports on rogue bloggers and social media users hungry for followers.

KATIKKIRO CHARLES PETER MAYIGA ON KABAKA MUTEBI ILLNESS REPORTS

Much of the news that comes through unofficial channels is intended to create confusion and such news comes with an hidden agenda. Some of these people are looking for likes and followers on their different social media platforms.

As it may be known, blogging is one means of earning these days. The bigger the followers one has on his or her platforms, the more the person is likely to be paid by the sites that manage these social media platforms.

This fake news has created concern and anxiety within people and these rumours have spread like wildfire. I have come here with my colleagues to inform the people of Uganda and Buganda that the Kabaka is not hospitalised.

MUSEVENI ON BLOGGERS SPREADING KABAKA MUTEBI SICKNESS REPORTS

Speaking ahead of the release of results from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC), Museveni castigated social media users and bloggers for being irresponsible.

Museveni emphasized that the kingdom had the right officials to make the announcements in the unfortunate scenario that the Kabaka falls sick or passes on.

The president further revealed that he had instructed police to trace social media users and bloggers that spread fake news on the Kabaka’s health.

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