Written By |
Rob Ross claimed to have created the infamous MBARARA HIV TikTok account
Search
By Jovita Hasto
MBARARA – Police in Mbarara City are currently holding Mr. Johnson Turyatemba, a teacher and struggling singer commonly known as RobRoss, who is alleged to be behind a infamous TikTok social media account that has been spreading hate speech and causing public outrage by claiming that certain individuals are infected with HIV/AIDS and spreading the virus to others.
Struggling singer behind infamous Mbarara HIV in cuffs
The TikTok account, which was created about a month ago, has caused harm to several individuals, including DJs, singers, emcees, media personalities, and influencers.
It all came to light during a live session on the page when RobRoss accidentally revealed his identity through a video feed. Victims and others who had been trying to uncover the person behind the account recognized him, raising more questions about why he had chosen to remain anonymous while spreading harmful content.
Some of the victims, who have since recorded statements with police and are seeking legal redress, expressed grief and distress over how the content from the account disrupted their personal and family lives.
Rob Ross
Mr. Ronald Amutuhaire Bataringaya, a music promoter, described the situation as deeply upsetting.
"It is very absurd to find that someone close to us is involved in such acts of torturing citizens," he said. "When someone is ill, their health status is private—even doctors are not allowed to disclose such information. For someone to come out and claim people are sick is evil. How sure is he that they are actually sick?"
Mr. Amutuhaire also condemned the use of social media to tarnish reputations in pursuit of popularity.
"We were raised knowing that it is wrong to mock the sick. Even doctors don't expose their patients' health status. The youth who are seeking likes and followers by shaming others should be held accountable under the law," he added.
Mr. Alaphat Mpagi, one of the victims, said he was posted twice on the account and was left shocked and traumatized, nearly losing his emceeing job. He said he lost the trust of his employers, who suspected he was behind the viral TikTok page. "The page only followed me, and that raised suspicions. I lost friends and the trust of my family. People no longer called me for gigs involving money—I began living in fear, thinking those who called me for work intended to harm me."
What shocked him the most, he said, was when his mother took him for an abrupt blood test to confirm whether he was truly HIV positive.
"My mother sent me messages questioning how I could have contracted HIV. Later, she called a meeting with some relatives—who turned out to be health workers—and they took my blood samples," he explained.
Mpagi, one of the victims, says, he was taken for blood test by the mother after appearing on the list. (Photo by Jovita Hasto)
Mpagi urged social media users to be vigilant about the content they consume, stating that the creator of the TikTok account had his own malicious agenda. He also asked for forgiveness from those who wrongly believed he was behind the account and the emotional harm it caused.
Ms. Mackline Shifah Akampurira, a promoter in Mbarara, said she has struggled to explain the situation to her children after posts falsely claimed she was infected.
"I have children who are old enough to understand, and I don’t know how to convince them—and other family members—that the claims are false," she said.
She added that some individuals in Mbarara have made it a habit to tarnish people’s reputations in public and urged people to stop misusing social media platforms.
Mr. Amon Ahimbisibwe, president of the Western Quality Bloggers Association, expressed dismay over the fact that someone well-known in the western music industry could engage in such behavior.
He said he was forced to take a blood test at a health facility in Mbarara and publicly share his results to refute claims made about him on the TikTok account.
"After proving that I was negative, he made another post accusing me of bribing health workers to alter my results—which was not true," Ahimbisibwe said.
He revealed that he had previously been arrested and imprisoned for misusing social media and said it is wrong to post unverified information that harms others.
"Imagine losing a job, your marriage, or your family's trust just because someone posted that you're HIV positive. The public reacts harshly—some people won’t even share a cup with you anymore. These things still happen," he said.
Rob Ross first made a public apology on his own tik tok account before he was taken into custody by police
Ahimbisibwe emphasized that there are lawful and respectful ways to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"You can join organizations that are addressing the spread of the virus, but you can't go around exposing people without verified information. We hope the law will act firmly against those who misuse social media. I, too, once misused it and learned from that mistake," he said.
SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said the suspect had reported himself to Nyakaizi Police Post due to fear for his life. He was later transferred to Mbarara Central Police Station on May 25, 2025, where he is currently held.
"He is currently detained at Mbarara Central Police Station after turning himself in. At the moment, we are holding him for his own safety as we wait for the Resident State Attorney, who is away on a judicial retreat, to review the case and authorize court proceedings," Kasasira said.
He condemned the suspect’s actions and warned young people against misusing social media.
"We condemn the act and urge people—especially account holders—to understand that it is against the law to behave in a manner that offends or harms others," he said.
Rob Ross has been a struggling Musician for over 8 years but failed to make a hit song.
He has songs like Kezia, Omuganuro, Kaitetsi, Nyamate among others.
Torch Media Africa
