Police arrest WhatsApp admin for defamatory content against politicians

Amolatar | A social media blogger accused of spreading defamatory content about prominent politicians in  Amolatar district has been arrested.

Emma Opeto, the creator and administrator of a WhatsApp group, “EMMA OFFICIAL PAGE,” was apprehended by the Uganda Police Flying Squad on July 28, 2024, in Nansana.

Police say he evaded arrest for four days in a row by frequently changing his contacts and identities.

Opeto is from Cakwara sub-county, Kyoga North County, Amolatar district. He has long been accused of blackmailing several district and subregional politicians through his WhatsApp group. 

According to reports that tndNews is currently verifying, he was hired by a politician to “smear and discredit” various political figures in the Amolatar district.

Felix Adupa Ongwech, Kyoga County MP Junior Moses Okot Bitek, and Amolatar district LC5 chairman Geoffrey Ocen Kiring are among the politicians in question.

Some journalists from Amolatar were also targeted.

This publication has been informed that an investigation is also anticipated into the politician who allegedly enlisted Opeto and a group of young men to disseminate damaging propaganda and slander against those who disagree with his agenda.

 Opeto’s arrest should act as a deterrent to others who might misuse social media for blackmail in the future, according to Ocen Kiring, who thanked the police for their intervention.

MP Bitek, speaking to tndNews from Gulu City, confirmed that he reported Opeto to Parliamentary police, and that investigations were ongoing. 

Bitek promised to back up the case with evidence to ensure justice is served.

Adupa Ongwech stated that he had filed complaints against those spreading false information to harm his reputation and emphasised his desire for justice.

As of press time, a well-known Amolatar Police officer with a UPDF background was reportedly making desperate attempts to secure Opeto’s release, but his appeals were ignored at the Flying Squad headquarters in Kireka. 

Opeto was handed over to Amolatar Central Police Station on August 29.

Currently detained at Amolatar CPS, Opeto is accused of cyber harassment, which is currently registered under SD Ref. 23/29/0824, among other offences.