Kampala — November 2025; Popular political and social commentator Benon Masaba, known on TikTok as “Yaya,” has resurfaced online after four months of unexplained silence, prompting renewed concern about the safety of digital content creators who engage in political commentary in Uganda.
Yaya, whose short, satirical videos use African wise sayings to analyze political events, went offline in June 2025 after what sources describe as a series of threats, alleged surveillance, and previous warnings from security officials.
Online Threats Escalate
According to individuals close to the content creator, Yaya initially received anonymous threatening comments and direct messages linked to his political content, particularly posts perceived as favorable to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The threats reportedly intensified in the weeks leading up to his disappearance.
A Prior Police Incident Raises Concern
Sources also referenced an earlier incident in which Yaya was allegedly summoned to a police station under unclear circumstances and cautioned about his online activities. While details of that encounter remain limited, those close to him say it left a lasting impact on how he interpreted later events.
Following that alleged police warning, Yaya began noticing signs of possible physical monitoring:
– Motorcycles were reportedly seen parking outside his residence for extended periods.
– He believed he was being followed on multiple occasions, including suspected plain-clothed individuals trailing him near his workplace.
– A vehicle is said to have followed him from a regular filming location to the outskirts of town before turning away abruptly.
Friends and associates interpreted these incidents as a continuation of the earlier caution — an indication that he remained under observation.
Suspicious Offer Preceded His Silence
In the weeks prior to going offline, unknown individuals allegedly reached out to him with an invitation to meet the Prime Minister and explore an opportunity to work with the government. The offer, which Yaya declined, reportedly raised further concern among those close to him.
Four Months of Silence
By mid-June, Yaya stopped posting entirely. His absence triggered widespread speculation among his followers, some fearing he had been detained or forced into hiding. With no public communication and no confirmed sightings, it remained unclear whether he was still in the country.
Public Return Sparks Reaction
In early November, Yaya posted his first TikTok since June. His return drew thousands of comments, many welcoming him back and expressing relief. Others openly questioned whether he had been arrested or held incommunicado.
Yaya responded only with a short, metaphorical remark: “I have been to prison — but from the outside.”
A Climate of Uncertainty for Political Creators
Human rights observers note that several Ugandan digital creators who produce politically oriented content have reported harassment, arrests, or surveillance in recent years. Yaya’s disappearance and re-emergence have renewed conversations about the pressures facing online voices critical of state actors.
Authorities have not issued any public statements regarding the alleged threats, surveillance, or police interaction.