Twitter condemns social media shutdown in Uganda

By Ritah Kemigisa

Social networking service, Twitter has condemned the shutdown of the internet in Uganda ahead of the Thursday general election as hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and principles of Open Internet.

On Tuesday, it was alleged that the Uganda communication commission executive director, Irene Sewankambo in a letter ordered telecommunications companies to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms.

Several social media users in Uganda have reported the inability to access Facebook and Twitter, among other social media platforms as the country braces for a tense election that has been marred with violence.

Last evening President Museveni confirmed that the government had closed social media channels ahead of Thursday’s poll.

According to Twitter public policy, access to information and freedom of expression, including the public conversation on Twitter, is important during democratic processes, particularly elections”.

Twitter meanwhile says they earlier this week, in close coordination with its peers, they suspended a number of accounts targeting the election in Uganda.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna