The Uganda Communication Commission and other partners, including key media agencies and security forces, are currently working on comprehensive social media policies to curb the rising fake news and misinformation.
On Thursday, 17 October 2024, UCC hosted various partners at the Next Media headquarters in Naguru, including government officials and representatives from various sectors.
During the gathering, UCC emphasized the urgent need to combat the growing threat of misinformation, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 elections.
Nyombi Thembo, the UCC Executive Director, stressed the media’s role in ensuring the spread of accurate information.
He noted that the media must uphold standards, especially in the digital era, where gatekeeping has largely disappeared.
“In traditional media, we used to have a little bit of gatekeeping, but that has gone away in mobile digital media,” he explained.
Thembo also stated that the UCC will require all media houses to implement social media policies as part of the next licensing cycle.
“In the next cycle of licensing, we shall demand the social media policy of every media house. We at UCC are with you 100%, and we are going to put in our resources to ensure that we fight together,” he said.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, stressed the importance of a robust social media policy.
“We need a social media policy, not just a policy for ticking the box. We are going to look at policies that truly test the existence of organizations and ensure they are effective,” she said.
“This campaign is very key to the heart of this country, especially given the times we are heading towards, such as the 2026 elections. Let us not take it as a government or security initiative; this is an initiative to support and protect all of us,” she emphasized.
Col. Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation involving the military.
“If you are doing your fake news, you can afford to do it elsewhere, but don’t do it with the military because we are responsible for the security of this country,” he cautioned.
The government’s new social media policy aims to bring accountability to online platforms and media outlets, ensuring that Uganda remains free from the harmful effects of fake news.
The policy is set to be an essential tool in safeguarding the integrity of information as the country approaches critical moments such as the 2026 elections.