The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has said that it is in the final stages of acquiring advanced digital surveillance tools aimed at monitoring social media activity across the country.
According to UCC spokesperson Ibrahim Bbosa, the upcoming system will include artificial intelligence-powered tools capable of detecting hate speech, incitement to violence, and the spread of misinformation. The equipment will also feature real-time monitoring dashboards, although the full specifications have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The move is part of a broader government initiative to regulate online content and combat the misuse of social media. Officials say new legislation is being drafted to address the spread of harmful and illegal information online.
Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, confirmed that stricter laws targeting social media abuse are in the pipeline. The push for tighter regulations gained momentum following calls by Uganda’s Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, who demanded a ban on TikTok, claiming it was being used to insult national leaders.
However, the government’s plan has sparked criticism from human rights defenders and legal experts. Lawyer Steven Kalali accused the state of using such laws as political tools, often applying them selectively. Similarly, human rights activist Allan Ssempala Kigozi argued that existing laws are sufficient and should be properly enforced rather than introducing new, potentially repressive measures.
