By Emmanuel Mihiingo Kaija
Introduction
Between 2023 and 2025, Uganda witnessed a significant escalation in digital censorship, marked by recurrent internet shutdowns, social media restrictions, increased monitoring of online communication, and the broader institutionalization of surveillance technologies. These actions have sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations, civil society groups, journalists, and the general public, as they represent a deliberate constriction of digital freedoms that had previously been emerging in Uganda’s expanding internet landscape. The phenomenon is not isolated; rather, it is part of a global trend in which authoritarian regimes are increasingly employing digital tools to monitor citizens, suppress dissent, and shape narratives in their favor. In Uganda’s context, the tightening of online space coincides with heightened political tensions, particularly surrounding electoral cycles, opposition mobilization, and contentious public debates over governance. As the population’s reliance on digital platforms for communication, commerce, and civic engagement has grown, these censorship measures have produced profound social, economic, and political consequences, affecting everything from small-scale entrepreneurs who depend on digital services to journalists reporting on corruption and political repression.
Internet Shutdowns and Social Media Restrictions
One of the most visible manifestations of Uganda’s digital censorship strategy has been the frequent imposition of internet shutdowns, often coinciding with politically sensitive periods such as elections, national protests, or major government announcements. These shutdowns typically involve partial or total interruptions of internet service, affecting social media platforms, mobile money services, and communications applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The official rationale often cited by government authorities is the maintenance of public order and national security, with claims that social media is being used to incite violence or disseminate false information. However, critics argue that these shutdowns disproportionately target opposition movements, independent media, and civil society organizations, effectively stifling dissenting voices and limiting public access to critical information. The consequences extend beyond political suppression; shutdowns disrupt commerce, education, healthcare, and social communication, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and small businesses that rely on digital connectivity. Economists estimate that internet disruptions in Uganda during 2023 and 2024 led to losses of millions of dollars in economic activity, illustrating how censorship policies can produce cascading social and economic harm.
Legal and Policy Frameworks Enabling Digital Censorship
Uganda’s expansion of digital censorship has been accompanied by an evolving legal and policy framework that both directly and indirectly restricts online freedoms. A notable measure was the introduction of a 5% digital services tax on nonresident companies providing digital platforms in Uganda, which, while framed as a revenue-generating mechanism, has been criticized for potentially limiting access to affordable digital services and widening the digital divide. Moreover, existing laws such as the Computer Misuse Act (2011) and amendments to the Electronic Transactions Act have been interpreted broadly to criminalize online speech, intimidate journalists, and justify government surveillance. Some analysts note that Uganda appears to be drawing inspiration from the Chinese model of “digital authoritarianism,” which emphasizes state control over internet infrastructure, widespread deployment of surveillance technologies, and regulatory mechanisms that allow for preemptive censorship. This alignment has facilitated the adoption of practices such as monitoring encrypted communications, blocking platforms deemed politically sensitive, and creating digital identification systems that consolidate government oversight over citizens’ online activity. Critics warn that without checks and balances, these legal and technological measures risk creating a permanent environment of digital repression, eroding civil liberties and reducing Uganda’s capacity for open, participatory governance.
Impact on Civil Society, Media, and Vulnerable Communities
The rise of digital censorship has had profound consequences for Uganda’s civil society, media, and marginalized communities. Journalists and human rights activists have reported increased surveillance, harassment, and arbitrary arrests, contributing to a climate of fear and self-censorship. The Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ-Uganda) has documented numerous cases in which reporters were prevented from covering protests or political events, had their equipment confiscated, or were detained under vaguely defined cybercrime provisions. For communities facing structural marginalization, including the LGBTQ+ population, digital censorship compounds vulnerability; criminalization and surveillance have forced individuals to adopt dual online identities, encrypted communication channels, and other protective measures to avoid persecution. Civil society organizations, which rely on digital platforms to mobilize public support, disseminate information, and advocate for policy reforms, have similarly been constrained, limiting their ability to hold authorities accountable. The broader societal effect is a reduction in public debate, curtailed access to information, and a chilling effect on political participation, particularly among youth who constitute the largest cohort of digital users in Uganda.
International Response and Advocacy
The international community and digital rights organizations have consistently condemned Uganda’s censorship policies, framing them as violations of human rights and threats to democratic governance. Coalitions such as #KeepItOn have highlighted the detrimental impact of internet shutdowns on freedom of expression, economic activity, and public welfare, documenting Uganda as one of the countries with the highest number of shutdowns in Africa during 2023–2024. Advocacy groups like the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) continue to monitor legislative developments, push for rights-respecting digital laws, and educate citizens about the implications of censorship. International pressure, including from donor agencies and regional bodies, has occasionally prompted temporary relief or legal clarifications, but sustainable change remains elusive due to entrenched political interests and the normalization of digital surveillance as a governance tool. The persistence of these measures highlights the ongoing tension between state security claims and the preservation of individual freedoms in Uganda’s digital sphere.
Conclusion
From 2023 to 2025, Uganda’s experience demonstrates the deepening entrenchment of digital censorship as a tool of political and social control. The combined effect of internet shutdowns, social media restrictions, surveillance, and legislative measures has constrained civic engagement, undermined media freedom, and heightened risks for vulnerable populations. While civil society organizations and international coalitions continue to advocate for digital rights and an open internet, the Ugandan context illustrates how emerging technologies can be leveraged to consolidate state power, restrict dissent, and limit access to information. Moving forward, preserving digital freedoms in Uganda will require sustained advocacy, legal reform, public engagement, and international pressure to ensure that the country’s digital infrastructure supports inclusivity, transparency, and the protection of human rights rather than reinforcing authoritarian control.
References
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