Forgive Him: Father Of A Detained TikToker Speaks Out

The father of a 25-year-old Tiktoker who was detained on Tuesday after he claimed to be a part of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia, which is charged with attacking a school in western Uganda’s Kasese District, has spoken out in defence of his son.

Resto Kalenzi, who is being held at Lugazi Central Police Station, has never left Kampala, according to Mr. David Mugabi Ssendawula, a resident of Buikwe District.

In a video he made and posted online, Kalenzi identified himself as a member of the rebel organisation thought to be responsible for the Friday night attack that left 37 students and five other members of the community dead. The attack claimed yet another fatality on Wednesday morning, bringing the total to 43.

Mr. Ssendawula, who chairs Local Council II for Bulyadente Parish in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District, believes that Kalenzi’s video, which has already gone viral on various social media platforms, was likely made under the effect of peer pressure and enthusiasm.

“I know him and he is my son. Whatever he did, it was regrettable. I’d like to apologise on his behalf because he made the mistake out of eagerness. He does not belong to the ADF. He has never left Kampala and has never been arrested, according to Mr. Ssendawula.

Mr. Ssendawula noted that despite Kalenzi’s lack of political knowledge, he occasionally overhears his son and friends talking politics.

Residents who requested anonymity mentioned that Mr. Kalezi is

Police earlier said Kalenzi is a shop attendant in Lugazi, dismissing reports that he’s a boda boda rider.

One of the residents said; “I believe he was trying to attract followers on his TikTok account, without realizing that he was being reckless and the information he shared harmful and offensive .”

Mr Kalenzi was arrested on Tuesday after recording himself in a video claiming he belongs to ADF which is accused of attacking Mpondwe – Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese District on June 16, 2023.

Ssezibwa Police Spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto said police had detained him for questioning and would be arraigned in court to answer charges accordingly.