Nabugodi’s legal troubles began when he posted a satirical mock trial of President Museveni that went viral among his 20,000 followers. The court deemed his content as hate speech and malicious information, resulting in his conviction under a 2022 amendment to the Computer Misuse Act that criminalizes information deemed derogatory towards others. The courtroom commentary by Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis suggested that the sentence was intended to deter similar social media expressions.

This case is part of a larger pattern of legal actions against dissenters in Uganda. Rights groups have decried the growing repression of free speech in the country, and Nabugodi's situation is not unique; several others have faced severe legal repercussions for their online expressions. Advocacy from human rights organizations and international bodies continues to highlight the urgency of addressing these freedoms in Uganda, where President Museveni has maintained power for decades and is noted for his intolerance towards criticism.