Ministry of Information and UCC warn on social media misuse during elections

5 January 2026, 1:46 pm

By Edwin Okurmu Kisa

The Ministry of Information and National Guidance, together with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has issued a warning over reports that social media platforms are being misused during election periods, particularly to spread false information and engage in suspicious financial transactions.

The warning was made during a press briefing at the Media Centre in Kampala, where officials urged Ugandans to avoid sharing false or misleading information on social media, noting that such actions could lead to instability and unrest in the country.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and National Guidance, Amina Zawedde, called on journalists and media owners to adhere strictly to the guidelines and regulations governing their professional work, especially during the electoral period.

She explained that in previous elections, some social media platforms were restricted due to security concerns. However, she noted that the government has since engaged journalists and social media users through consultations aimed at guiding them on the responsible use of these platforms when disseminating information.

Speaking on behalf of UCC, the Executive Director, Nyombi Tembo, urged journalists to refrain from publishing unverified information during the election period, particularly before official results are announced.

He emphasised that the responsibility for announcing election results lies solely with the Electoral Commission and cautioned journalists against taking on that role.

Nyombi Tembo also addressed the use of the Bitchat social media platform, which many Ugandans reportedly turn to when mainstream platforms are restricted during elections. He stated that UCC fully understands how the platform operates and has the technical capacity to regulate it via radio frequency waves.

He nevertheless appealed to Ugandans not to use social media to spread misinformation or hate speech that could incite violence or division, even in situations where mainstream platforms may be restricted.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of New Taxi Park, Robert Sekitooreko, has urged drivers, particularly those transporting passengers from rural areas, to exercise caution on the roads by adhering to all traffic signs and regulations to prevent unnecessary accidents.

“I want to thank our drivers who safely transported passengers during the festive season. We did not record any serious incidents, and we are grateful for that,” Sekitooreko said. “I also take this opportunity to remind drivers to follow traffic guidelines when transporting passengers from the villages. We continue to advise customers to label their luggage so that, if anything is left behind, it can be returned easily. Additionally, we appeal to young people to refrain from engaging in violence during the elections.”