Leaders and supporters associated with Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) have condemned the alleged assault of a social media critic of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in Gulu City.
The incident attracted public attention after a video circulated on social media showing popular TikToker Ocan Survivor being slapped and questioned by several individuals allegedly linked to the two political groups. Stella Alimocan, popularly known as Otangalu, was also heard speaking during the incident.
In the video, Ocan, who has previously posted criticism of Gen Muhoozi while expressing support for National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi, reportedly says he was targeted because of his online comments. Another clip shows Alimocan questioning him about people allegedly sponsoring his criticism of various individuals in the Acholi Sub-region.
When contacted, Alimocan denied physically assaulting Ocan but defended what she described as traditional disciplinary practices intended to stop young people from insulting elders and women. She also denied that Ocan had been tortured, saying he was healthy and in police custody. However, security personnel in Gulu City reportedly said they had no record of him being held at a detention facility in the city.
Kamba Amir, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Bardege-Laroo Division, described the alleged assault as unfortunate, particularly because those reportedly involved were associated with the NRM. He said that even if Ocan had made inappropriate remarks, beating him was not the right response.
Tony Kitara, the proprietor of Da Covenant, where the incident was reportedly filmed, denied involvement and questioned why Ocan had been brought to his premises. Kitara condemned the alleged violence, arguing that criticism or offensive statements should not be answered with physical punishment.
George Ovola, the NRM registrar for Gulu District, also condemned the incident, saying anyone accused of breaking the law should be reported to the police rather than being subjected to violence. He stressed that neither the NRM nor the PLU should support torture and called for the law to take its course where wrongdoing is alleged.
The incident has raised concerns among some NRM and PLU members about the possible damage such actions could cause to their public image, especially among grassroots supporters. Ovola warned that taking the law into one’s own hands could set a dangerous precedent and threaten freedom of expression in the Acholi Sub-region.
The allegations have renewed calls for disputes involving social media posts to be handled through lawful channels rather than violence. Authorities were reported to be awaiting a formal complaint from the victim before investigations into the alleged assault could begin, while the identities and roles of all those seen in the circulating videos had not been independently verified.
