The Ugandan communications regulator has mandated that social media influencers with large followings must register their activities for state monitoring, introducing a $20 fee to fund oversight efforts.
Authorities claim the measure targets immoral or prejudiced content, but critics argue it is part of a broader campaign to silence dissent against President Yoweri Museveni's government. The policy applies to individuals with commercialized online presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, including journalists, musicians, and socialites.
Human rights groups condemned the regulation, with Dorothy Mukasa of Unwanted Witness stating it infringes on freedom of expression. 'People can only express themselves freely if they are not under surveillance,' she said. The policy follows a 2018 report indicating at least 33 Ugandans faced legal action for online activities between 2016 and 2018.
Uganda Communications Commission spokesperson Ibrahim Bbosa emphasized that registered users would be monitored for content violating 'morality, incitement, or factual accuracy.' However, critics like Robert Ssempala of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda called the fee 'prohibitive,' suggesting it aims to deter public discourse.
The move aligns with previous government actions, including a 2018 social media tax. Museveni, in power since 1986, has repeatedly criticized online platforms for spreading 'lies' and 'gossip,' with analysts noting the regulation's timing ahead of the 2021 presidential election.
