More than five years after Uganda pulled the plug on Facebook, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has indicated that the platform could be restored—if new ground rules are agreed upon.
Uganda blocked Facebook in the run-up to the 2021 general elections. At the time, the platform had become central to communication, online business, and marketing in the country. Its shutdown forced millions of users to rely on VPNs and left many digital entrepreneurs struggling to reach customers.
During an appearance on the Unstoppable Podcast, Museveni revealed that government is once again examining the issue.
According to the President, the initial shutdown was intended to send a message. “They believed Uganda could not function without Facebook,” he said. “But Uganda has continued to grow. We needed to show that no external company can dictate to us. We are unstoppable.”
Museveni added that the platform had previously operated in ways that conflicted with government expectations. Before Facebook is fully restored, he said, both sides must agree on clear terms that respect national priorities and ensure smoother cooperation going forward.
