Uganda Orders Social Media Shutdown

Social media icons as seen on a smartphone's interface. Uganda on Tuesday ordered its telcos to shut down social media and messaging services with political temperatures rising ahead of the presidential election on Thursday.

Uganda ordered internet service providers to block all social media platforms and messaging apps on Tuesday until further notice, a letter from the country’s communications regulator showed on Tuesday.

As per Reuters, users on Tuesday complained that they were unable to access Facebook and WhatsApp, social media platforms being widely used for campaigning ahead of Thursday’s presidential election in the East African country.

“Uganda Communications Commission hereby directs you to immediately suspend any access and use, direct or otherwise, of all social media platforms and online messaging applications over your network until further notice,” said the letter from the commission’s executive director to internet providers.

The commission’s spokesman Ibrahim Bbossa and government spokesman Ofwono Opondo did not answer calls requesting comment. An aide to Minister of Information Judith Nabakooba said she was unable to comment at the moment.

Reuters quoting a source in Uganda’s telecom sector said the government had made clear to executives at telecoms companies that the social media ban was in retaliation for Facebook blocking some pro-government accounts.

Facebook said on Monday it had taken down a network in Uganda linked to the country’s ministry of information for using fake and duplicate accounts to post ahead of this week’s election.

See Also>>>> Bobi Wine: Military Attempted to Break Down Into My Home

Picture of BUSINESS TODAY
BUSINESS TODAY
editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Aquila East Africa, a leading Kenyan integrated communications firm has expanded into Rwanda and Uganda, signifying the growing potential of homegrown businesses
The 16th edition of the CIO100 Awards 2004 will bring together Africa's most influential IT leaders to discuss the latest trends and

Social Health Authority (SHA) acting CEO Elijah Wachira has been sent on compulsory leave for 90 days. According to the suspension letter

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced 5,690 job vacancies for senior teachers, open and available for immediate hiring, with applications closing