In today’s digital age, the power of social media to shape narratives and influence public opinion is undeniable. Sadly, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has weaponized this tool, using misinformation as a blunt instrument to sow discord and division within our society. Through a carefully orchestrated campaign of fake news and hate speech, the leadership of NUP has created a toxic environment where truth is obscured and animosity thrives.
The party has consistently resorted to using derogatory language to target individuals and communities based on various characteristics, such as race, religion, gender, and age. These insidious practices have become alarmingly pervasive on social media, inflicting profound harm on their targets, corroding the foundational principles of our society, and corroding the values of tolerance, empathy, and respect that should underpin online discourse.
Uncovering How NUP Leverages Misinformation to Advance Its Agenda
Robert Kyagulanyi, the president of NUP, orchestrated a demonstration in Arua City on August 13, 2018, in support of Kasiano Wadri’s parliamentary candidature, culminating in confrontations at Dr. Kizza Besigye’s rally on Dorcus Inzikuru Street and the stoning of the presidential convoy on Ediofe Road. These actions led to clashes with law enforcement, resulting in Bobi Wine and several of his followers being apprehended.
This incident propelled Bobi Wine into the national spotlight through a meticulously orchestrated social media campaign titled “Free Bobi Wine,” spearheaded by international figure Robert Amsterdam, who established alternative communication channels prior to Bobi Wine’s parliamentary election.
Working in concert, a dedicated media unit known as Digital Media and a reputation management firm in Washington, DC, portrayed Bobi Wine as a martyr, disregarding the facts surrounding his arrest and the subsequent casualties among his supporters.
These coordinated efforts by external influencers, supported by local operatives, perpetuated a relentless stream of false information through various media channels, a strategy that proved effective until discerning individuals began scrutinising these narratives, recognising them as fabrications. The prevalence of fake news escalated during the 2021 general elections.
Throughout this period, purveyors of misinformation within NUP persisted in fabricating falsehoods about Bobi Wine, increasingly incorporating sectarian messaging aimed at inciting violence, inflaming tensions with law enforcement, and flouting established norms of legal conduct and social media etiquette.
On November 19, 2020, a deceptive Facebook post featured manipulated screenshots purporting to show conversations between U.S. President Biden and former President Obama on their official Twitter accounts, advocating for Bobi Wine’s cause. Fact-checkers from the AFP swiftly debunked these claims, affirming that both leaders had not commented on Uganda’s political affairs at the time and that the tweets were maliciously crafted by Bobi Wine’s associates to foment unrest in the country.
The AFP’s investigations further revealed that NUP outstripped all other political entities in Uganda in disseminating false information on social media platforms.
Combatting Misinformation and Targeting Legitimate Communication Channels
Entities propagating fake narratives, including NUP, aimed at government communication infrastructures that sought to debunk their disinformation, sparing no effort to advance their deceitful narratives by any means necessary.
The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) at the Atlantic Council accused the Ugandan government of utilising ‘bots’ to portray NUP as an instigator of violence. This accusation coincided with Bobi Wine’s arrest due to his repeated violations of COVID-19 guidelines and electoral commission protocols, resulting in numerous fatalities.
As NUP-affiliated accounts proliferated across social media platforms during the 2021 elections, accounts associated with the NRM party faced bans, granting NUP an unrestrained platform to orchestrate a coordinated assault by amplifying falsehoods and diminishing genuine information. Misinformation poses a grave threat to societal well-being.
The dissemination of misinformation undermines public trust in governmental bodies, media establishments, and critical institutions, fostering heightened polarisation, social upheaval, and disruptions in democratic processes. Similar to the lead-up to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, widespread misinformation fueled animosity between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes, culminating in tragic loss of life.
Instances such as the 2007 Kenyan elections and the 2009 Kayunga riots in Uganda underscore how misinformation can incite violence and destruction. The United Nations underscores that hate speech fuels intolerance and violence, amplifying its impact through modern communication technologies. Addressing the scourge of misinformation is vital for nurturing a robust, informed, and resilient society.
In the face of NUP’s insidious tactics, we must remain vigilant and committed to upholding the truth. By rejecting falsehoods and embracing responsible discourse, we can counter the toxic influence of fake information and work towards a more informed, resilient society. Let us stand together against the scourge of misinformation and strive for a future built on transparency, honesty, and respect for truth.
