KAMPALA – With the next general elections on the horizon, the Ugandan government is poised to intensify its control over the media landscape, targeting both traditional broadcasters and independent digital content creators in a significant crackdown.
Authorities have announced a stringent new campaign against what the state regulator terms “irresponsible broadcasting and online misconduct.”
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is leading the charge. In a confirmed move, UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Tembo revealed that high-level discussions are already underway with the owners of major global tech platforms. The talks aim to force stricter controls and enforcement on Ugandan citizens who create and share content online.
The named platforms include Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Google, and TikTok. The objective is to establish a coordinated mechanism for the rapid removal of content deemed inappropriate by the Ugandan state.
The declaration was made public through an audio clip that has gone viral on social media. In the recording, a resolute Tembo unapologetically declares a governmental “war on digital abusers and dehumanizers.”
He levies heavy accusations against a segment of online content creators, claiming they use their platforms to “peddle insults, vulgarity, and paid smear campaigns” aimed at discrediting public figures and institutions.
This pre-election move is being viewed by critics and civil society groups as an attempt to silence dissent, muzzle free speech, and stifle political opposition through the regulation of digital spaces. The government, however, frames it as a necessary measure to uphold public morality, national integrity, and civil discourse.
The announcement signals a challenging period ahead for journalists, influencers, and political commentators in Uganda, who now face an increasingly hostile online environment backed by the potential for direct collaboration between local regulators and international tech giants.
