KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan film director John Segawa has sparked debate after suggesting that the growing wave of leaked nude videos and images involving local socialites and content creators may not always be accidental, but rather part of a deliberate marketing strategy.
His remarks come amid a rise in cases where private photos and videos allegedly belonging to social media influencers have surfaced online, with several individuals, including Kirabo Kisitu, Shani Lips and Tiktoker Lala, claiming to have been victims of leaks involving ex-partners or unknown actors.
However, Segawa questioned that narrative, arguing that the circulation of such content may in some cases be intentional and tied to personal branding and online visibility strategies within the influencer economy.
Speaking in an interview, Segawa suggested that many socialites knowingly record intimate content, which he believes is later used—directly or indirectly—to drive attention to their online presence and commercial activities.
He further claimed that such content has become increasingly common within the influencer space, adding that its eventual exposure online should not always be viewed as coincidental or purely malicious.
According to Segawa, the line between private life and online persona among some social media personalities has become blurred, with personal content often intersecting with digital marketing tactics.
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His comments, however, are controversial and have not been independently verified, and he did not provide specific evidence to support the claims.
The debate comes at a time when concerns over digital privacy, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, and online exploitation continue to grow across social media platforms in Uganda and beyond.
Legal and digital rights advocates have previously warned that the distribution of explicit content without consent remains a criminal offence in many jurisdictions, regardless of how the material was originally created or intended.
