Ugandan Twins Accuse Top Lawyer and Strategist of Cyber Harassment and Defamation
Kampala, Uganda – Twin sisters Yvonne Babirye and Cynthia Nakato have lodged a formal complaint with police, accusing Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde and political strategist Ronald Egesa of a coordinated campaign of cyber harassment, defamation, and online threats.
Filed with the Kampala Metropolitan East Regional CID Office, the sisters allege that Ssemakadde subjected Babirye to degrading insults on WhatsApp and social media, using language such as “whore,” “cheap,” and “pathetic,” and issued veiled threats like, “You have to be more careful… My silence should not be taken for granted.”
Public Shaming and Online Bullying
Nakato, who denies any personal relationship with Ssemakadde, says the lawyer downplayed the issue on X (formerly Twitter) by calling it a “household matter,” further fueling online backlash. She insists their connection was purely professional and related only to her sister.
The sisters argue that Ssemakadde’s social media post triggered a wave of online attacks, including rumors, ridicule, and emotional distress, from social media users aligned with his supporters.
Egesa Also Accused of Inciting Violence
In a separate claim, the twins accuse Ronald Egesa of spreading malicious allegations, calling them “personal hangers-on” engaged in bribery and blackmail. They further allege that Egesa issued threats online, including talk of a plan to murder one of the sisters and blame it on Ssemakadde.
The women are demanding a full police investigation into both men for threatening behavior, cybercrime, and defamation under Uganda’s digital laws.
Public Backlash Cuts Both Ways
While the complaint has drawn public concern, the sisters themselves have faced criticism, with some accusing them of using activism for personal gain. Critics allege they previously leveraged protest movements to seek financial support or relocation visas from European embassies—casting doubt on their motives in the eyes of some activists.
Awaiting Police Action
As of this publication, neither Isaac Ssemakadde nor Ronald Egesa has issued an official response. The police are expected to assess whether the allegations meet the legal thresholds for criminal prosecution under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act and other cybercrime statutes.
The case has sparked fresh debate around the boundaries of digital expression, abuse of public platforms, and protection of women from online threats in Uganda.
