On Tuesday, Uganda banned social media and beefed up security in the capital, ahead of presidential elections in the African nation. The election pits Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders against Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, a popular singer.
@KagutaMuseveni : Uganda is ours, it's not anybody's pic.twitter.com/7QQYjku4Ke
— Government of Uganda (@GovUganda) January 12, 2021
The 76-year-old leader Museveni, who took power in 1986, apologised for the inconvenience caused by the ban on social media and messaging apps. However, he alleged that the social media companies were interfering in the Ugandan elections. He said that Uganda had no choice after Facebook took down some accounts which backed his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
“If you want to take sides against the NRM, then that group should not operate in Uganda,” he said. “We cannot tolerate this arrogance of anybody coming to decide for us who is good and who is bad.”
I apologize that @GovUganda has closed @Facebook in Uganda, this is very unfortunate but inevitable. If they are to operate here, they have to be equitable.’ #M7Address
— Government of Uganda (@GovUganda) January 12, 2021
In a letter to internet service providers (ISPs) dated January 12, Uganda’s communications regulator ordered the ISPs to block all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice. According to Internet monitor NetBlocks, its data showed that Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, Snapchat, Viber and Google Play Store were among a lengthy list of sites unavailable via Uganda’s prominent cell network operators.
Twitter has been facing backlash all over the world for permanently banning US President Donald Trump from the social media platform. Twitter released a statement condemning the social media ban in Uganda and said that it violates the principles of the “Open Internet”. Ironically, Twitter’s appeal comes after reports of Twitter following Trump’s suspensions with a ‘massive purge’ of conservative accounts.
Ahead of the Ugandan election, we're hearing reports that Internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps.
We strongly condemn internet shutdowns – they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet.
— Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) January 12, 2021
Museveni has won every election since the first under his presidency in 1996, though they have been marred by allegations of intimidation and vote rigging.