Ugandan pop star faces arrest for 'revenge porn' photos
Desire Luzinda's ex-boyfriend circulated nude pictures of her on the internet -now she is threatened with arrest

A Ugandan pop star, Desire Luzinda, is facing arrest because her ex-boyfriend circulated nude pictures of her on the internet in a 'revenge porn' attack. One government minister has even called for her to be "locked up".
The 26-year-old musician has gone into hiding after the photographs went viral on social media and were published by newspapers. Uganda has a thriving tabloid press that delights in vilifying public figures and exposing 'immoral' sexual behaviour.
The Independent reports that Uganda's state minister for ethics and integrity, Simon Lokodo, said last week the star should be arrested, telling a newspaper: "I have directed the police to arrest her, but first they should investigate her. She should be locked up and isolated."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This week, a more conciliatory tone was struck by an ethics ministry official, Patricia Okiria, who said the singer might not be charged with a crime but would be "contacted to help in the investigations".
Okiria added: "She will help us in establishing the motive of releasing the pornographic content. Her answers will help us substantiate her role in this saga. We need to know whether she consented before these photos were taken."
Luzinda blamed a "breach of trust by someone I loved" for the incident - but nevertheless apologised for posing in the first place. She said: "I take full responsibility for having lost my mind to take such shameful pics.
Luzinda, who has a young daughter, added: "Those who have interacted closely with me know I am a decent person, a doting mother and an industrious woman. These images in no way should define who I am."
Uganda's government recently passed restrictive anti-gay laws, a move supported by most of the popular tabloid newspapers.
Luzinda's case comes after a series of other 'revenge porn' incidents, including the GamerGate row that blew up after female games developer Zoe Quinn was subjected to an online witch-hunt, and dozens of celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence, had intimate pictures circulated online by hackers.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Strep infections are rising in the US
Under the radar The cases have more than doubled in 10 years
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
Crossword: April 22, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK