UGANDA’s telecommunication regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission has ordered the shutdown of social media ahead of Thursday’s crucial election.
In a letter to the telecommunication companies, the Communications Commission executive director Irene Sewankambo ordered the telcos to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms.
Access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter has already been disrupted in Uganda on Tuesday.
On Thursday voters will be choosing a new president with musician-turned politician, Bobi Wine, 38, now the main challenger to 76-year-old President Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is seeking re-election after constitutional changes allowed him to seek a sixth consecutive term.
There have been major clampdown on opposition politicians ahead of the crucial vote amid the enforcement of Covid-19 protocols.
Journalists have also been attacked for covering campaigns of opposition politicians, with the police chief in Uganda, justifying such attacks.
Bobi Wine
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