Jinja, Uganda: Police in the Kiira region have launched a manhunt for two social media content creators accused of publishing inappropriate and sexualized content involving a minor on TikTok.
The suspects, identified as the proprietor of Zulah Gadgets and Sozo, the director of Sozo Property Consultants Limited, are being investigated for allegedly featuring a child known online as “Tuk-Tuk UG” in content that police say may violate child protection laws.
In a statement issued on June 10, Kiira Regional Police spokesperson SP James Mubi said authorities had ordered the immediate removal of all offending videos and warned content creators against exposing children to inappropriate online content.
“It is the duty of police to protect children, including their digital lives, from any child abuse, sexual materials or minor safety violations being posted on social media platforms, including TikTok,” Mubi said.
Police say the duo is currently being tracked as investigations continue into the nature of the content shared on their social media platforms.
According to Mubi, the suspects have been directed to delete all videos deemed harmful and to immediately stop assigning minors roles that expose them to adult-themed content.
The police spokesperson emphasized that the protection of children extends beyond physical spaces to digital platforms, where minors are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and inappropriate exposure.
“We have instructed them to remove all the bad videos and stop putting children into adult roles,” Mubi said.
The latest investigation follows previous police action against other TikTok personalities accused of involving children in questionable content.
Mubi cited the cases of popular TikTokers Balikumbona and Maama Nakanjako, who were previously summoned to Kiira Regional Police Headquarters over similar allegations involving minors.
“Remember last time, we took action against Balikumbona and Maama Nakanjako over the same offence. They are now good people; they no longer involve the minor,” Mubi said.
Police noted that since being cautioned, the two content creators have reportedly complied with child protection guidelines and ceased publishing content that infringes on children’s rights.
The case highlights growing concerns about the use of minors in online content creation, particularly on fast-growing social media platforms such as TikTok, where videos can quickly attract large audiences.
Child rights advocates have repeatedly warned that some content creators exploit children for views, likes and online engagement without considering the potential psychological, emotional and legal consequences.
Uganda’s laws prohibit the production, distribution and possession of sexual material involving children, with offenders facing severe penalties, including imprisonment upon conviction.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspects have been arrested, but police say investigations are ongoing and further action will be taken based on the findings.
Mubi warned that Kiira Regional Police Command remains committed to protecting children both offline and online and will continue monitoring social media platforms for content that threatens the safety and wellbeing of minors.
“We prioritize the safety of all people, especially children. Content creators must understand that children should never be exploited for entertainment or social media popularity,” he said.
Police have also appealed to parents, guardians and members of the public to report any online content that appears to exploit or endanger children.
The investigation comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media influencers and digital content creators as authorities seek to balance online creativity with child protection and responsible use of digital platforms.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
