Miss Uganda Responds to Viral Clips Involving Hon. Elizabeth Kakwanzi — Her Comment Sparks Social Media Reactions

Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa, a candidate in Uganda’s Western Youth Member of Parliament (MP) race, recently found herself at the center of a political storm when an intimate AI-generated video was reportedly “leaked.” Though quickly dismissed as fake—widely believed to be artificially created rather than real footage—it sparked immense public curiosity and debate.

Kampala Press reports that Ugandan socialite and model Doreen Kabareebe Harris has weighed in on the leaked video, suggesting it might be a savvy political move rather than a malicious smear.

Meanwhile, The Pearl Times captured Harris’s dramatic assertion: “Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa Doesn’t Need to Campaign. ‘Leaked Video’ is Enough”

Doreen Kabareebe Harris’s controversial take

Doreen Kabareebe Harris—a public figure often seen in Uganda’s media spotlight—remarked that the video might actually boost Kakwanzi’s public profile, rather than harm it. As she told The Pearl Times:

“Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa doesn’t need to campaign. ‘Leaked video’ is enough.”

Harris argues that in today’s digital age, visibility—even through scandalous controversy—can translate into voter support. In her view, the video has done the heavy lifting of traditional campaigning by ensuring Kakwanzi is widely talked about, trending across social circles, and staying top-of-mind ahead of election day.

How the video might play to Kakwanzi’s advantage

1. Instant name recognition

In a crowded parliamentary field, especially among youth candidates, standing out quickly is crucial. Traditional campaigning (posters, rallies, door‑to‑door canvassing) is often slow and limited in reach. A viral social media moment—regardless of context—instantly puts a candidate’s name before tens of thousands or more. As Harris suggests, this kind of spotlight can be more powerful than months of grassroots campaigning.

2. “No such thing as bad press” principle

Provided there’s no legal or ethical fallout, even negative press builds awareness. The leaked video feels personal—but if discredited as AI-generated, it can be spun as a “political dirty trick.” That opens the door for Kakwanzi to own the narrative, attack the source, and portray herself as a victim of opposition sabotage. This could elicit sympathy and consolidate her support.

3. Shifting perceptions

A well-handled response to the leak—like professional debunking, pressing charges, or higher-profile engagement—can convert perceived scandal into a story of resilience. Youth voters in digital-native demographics may especially respect a candidate who fights back publicly. Harris’s observation taps into this: the leak “is enough” to trigger this cycle .

Risks and potential backlash

Despite Harris’s bullish take, several pitfalls remain:

• Credibility damages: If the AI content is disturbing or portrays Kakwanzi in a humiliating way, even after debunking, some voters may hold onto altered impressions.
• Legal and ethical questions: Voters sensitive to privacy and digital ethics might see the video—and any perceived tolerance—as Marshalling or even exploiting personal imagery as irresponsible.
• Fueling negative campaign cycles: By keeping her name tied to scandal, Kakwanzi risks overshadowing her policy platforms entirely. Future campaign events may always come with “What about the video?” hovering in the background.

What this signals about the election climate

This incident reflects a broader shift in Ugandan—and global—politics:

1. AI weaponization: The use of emerging technology to influence political perception—by creating false but realistic content aimed at derailing candidates—is becoming worryingly common.
2. Viral scandal as strategy: Public figures and subversive actors increasingly treat controversy as deliberate campaign tools to achieve quick visibility.
3. Importance of digital media literacy: Both voters and candidates must learn to identify AI forgeries, demand verification, and rapidly rebuke false narratives to preserve electoral integrity.

Could this tactic succeed?

The effectiveness of this leak-as-strategy depends on several factors:

• Fact checking: Independent verification of the video’s authenticity is crucial. If reputable agencies confirm it’s AI-generated, that empowers Kakwanzi to pivot from embarrassment to rallying support.
• Her response strategy: Apologetic silence could be interpreted as acquiescence. A clear, forceful rebuttal—with supportive legal action, forensic evidence, or third-party verification—could reap sympathy and reinforce credibility.
• Opposition reaction: If opponents amplify the video without solid proof, their hardball tactics may backfire, turning voters against perceived smear methods.

So far, the framing from Doreen Kabareebe Harris signals one narrative: that the leak is more a gift than a curse for Kakwanzi’s ambitions.

What’s next

The leaked AI video may indeed have delivered exactly the exposure Elizabeth Kakwanzi needed—circumventing conventional campaign messaging and thrusting her into public consciousness. That aligns with Doreen Kabareebe Harris’s assessment: why campaign when a “leak” can do it for you?

Yet, amidst the short-term visibility, long-term risks loom large. The video’s impact will hinge entirely on how convincingly Kakwanzi can disown it, retain moral authority, and refocus voters on her candidacy’s substance rather than its spectacle.