LIVE: Stella Nyanzi faces cyber harassment charge

Police have preferred cyber harassment and offensive communication charges against outspoken feminist, academic and Uganda government critic Dr Stella Nyanzi.

Details of the case are being revealed right now at Buganda Road Court. She has been detained at Kira Police Station since Friday. (see related Uganda laws below)

Earlier, opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye was denied access to Kira Police Station, where he had intended to talk to Nyanzi.

What is the Computer Misuse ACT, 2011?

According to National Information Technology Authority (NITA), the act makes provision for the safety and security of electronic transactions and information systems.

It makes provision for the safety and security of electronic transactions and information systems; prevent unlawful access, abuse or misuse of information systems by including computers (and electronic devices like mobile phones ) and make provision for securing the conduct of electronic transactions in a trustworthy electronic environment and to provide for other related matters.

1. The Act takes cognizance of the fact that all computer operations are susceptible to computer crimes and Uganda’s current legal system does not recognize computer crimes thus the importance of a legislation to provide for computer crimes.
2. It creates several computer misuse offences e.g. unauthorized modification of computer material
3. Lays down mechanisms for investigation and prosecution of the offences.

The police charge sheet of Dr Stella Nyanzi at Buganda Road court @ugandarn #FreeStellaNyanzi pic.twitter.com/W5mPglnJkw

— Blanshe Musinguzi (@Johnblanshe_m) April 10, 2017

Stella Nyanzi is charged with calling long-time President Museveni “a pair of buttocks” #Uganda pic.twitter.com/6QzAfebpOr

— Michael O’Hagan (@micoh) April 10, 2017

The COMPUTER MISUSE ACT 2011

Computer Misuse Act by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

**** Additional reporting by AFP