The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has reminded Ugandans that the 2021 Facebook shutdown remains a powerful example of what can happen when online platforms are misused, cautioning citizens and media practitioners to be more responsible as the country heads toward the 2026 elections.
The warning was issued on Thursday during a joint briefing convened by the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Police, the Electoral Commission, and other election stakeholders.
UCC’s Head of Litigation, Prosecution and Legal Advisory, Abdu Salaam Waiswa, said online spaces now carry influence equal to mainstream broadcast media making responsible communication critical during the electoral season.
“Online influencers and digital content creators must also uphold truth and fairness: especially when engaging in political conversations or sharing election-related information,” he said.
He encouraged the public to use all communication platforms But we keep reminding all users and consumers of communication services that they have a duty to ensure that whatever information they are airing is factual, fair, and for peace.
He added that unlike previous years when misinformation would spread slowly, today a single post on X, YouTube or Facebook can ignite tensions instantly.
“It does not really matter whether you are on TV, radio, X, YouTube, or any other platform. Ask yourself, is it fair? Is it factual? Is it going to leave Uganda the same?” He noted.
Waiswa pointed to the shutdown of Facebook in January 2021 as a clear signal of how far regulators can go when platforms become tools for incitement.
“The reason why Facebook specifically was suspended was the platform being used as a conduit for sending out unacceptable content. People were sharing pictures, videos, saying go and attack others, kill so and so, creating division within society,” he said.
The 2021 suspension came at the height of election tensions after Facebook removed accounts it said were linked to coordinated inauthentic behavior.
Government responded by ordering internet service providers to block all social media and messaging applications—an outage that lasted for days, while Facebook remained officially inaccessible for months.
UCC now says the lessons from that shutdown should guide how Ugandans behave online in the 2026 election period, warning that misuse of digital platforms could again attract firm regulatory countermeasures.
In her remarks, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson highlighted emerging trends that present risks to peace, security, and human rights.
“We have noted the rise of youth groups acting as vigilantes and political foot soldiers, particularly in the central region. These groups are unlawful, dangerous, and incompatible with a democratic process,” she said.
She called upon all stakeholders including; political parties and candidates, the electorate, security agencies, and the media to work together to ensure that the 2026 elections become a celebration of democracy, not a contest of hostility.
