In the high-stakes run-up to Uganda’s 2026 elections, a digital storm is brewing around Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa, a rising contender for the Western Youth MP seat. Kakwanzi, who’s seeking the NRM party flag, has been thrust into the spotlight after a so-called “leaked” video surfaced online this week—drawing instant fire and sparking a swirl of controversy.
The video, which has been shared widely on social media, allegedly shows Kakwanzi in a compromising situation. But there’s one catch: her supporters claim it’s fake. Not just fake—AI fake.
“This is a deepfake. Her face has been pasted onto someone else’s body. It’s a digital smear job,” posted Peace Komugisha on X, formerly Twitter. Another user, Annah Blair, chimed in: “It’s AI but they won’t manage their dirty games. Let them try whatever. AI won’t win this.”
With deepfake technology getting sharper by the day, the public is facing a new kind of political weapon—one where seeing is no longer believing. And in a society where media literacy remains low, videos like this can travel far and fast before anyone asks: “Is this real?”
Kakwanzi’s supporters are calling it a calculated hit job by rivals afraid of her growing influence among the youth. Some even suspect that political operatives with access to sophisticated tech cooked up the footage to damage her credibility early in the race.
But not everyone’s buying the victim narrative. A fringe theory making rounds suggests the video may have come from inside her own camp—leaked on purpose to paint her as a target and win public sympathy.
Social media user Stuart Amanya had this to say:
“We’ve officially entered political season where trust becomes a risk. If you’re a candidate, be mindful who you get involved with. Not everyone’s intentions are pure. Sending strength and solidarity to Kakwanzi during this tough moment.”
Whether it’s a digital hit or a publicity stunt, one thing’s certain—the line between truth and manipulation is getting blurrier. And with the campaign season heating up, this won’t be the last AI-fueled drama we see.
As the dust settles, the bigger question looms: Is Uganda ready for an election season where videos can be fabricated, reputations torched overnight, and the truth becomes just another opinion?
Welcome to politics, 2026 style.
