UCC fails to verify ownership of Zaake’s Twitter accounts

By Ivan Ssenabulya

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) cannot verify and confirm the ownership and authenticity of the Facebook and Twitter accounts of Mityana Municipality legislator, Francis Zaake.

This was revealed by the head of legal and compliance at UCC Abudu-Sallam Waiswa, to the parliamentary rules, privileges, and discipline committee investigating Zaake who allegedly insulted Deputy Speaker Anita Among.

In their submission to the committee, chaired by Bugweri County MP, Abdu Katuntu, Waiswa, said that Facebook and Twitter are over-the-top applications provided by technology firms based in the United States of America.

He said that whereas Twitter and Facebook obtain similar identification information about their account holders at account opening, the commission does not have direct access to their registers and such information.

Bardege-Layibi Division MP,  Martin Ojara Mapenduzi raised a complaint on the floor of parliament, proposing to move a motion for Zaake’s removal from the parliamentary commission.

The matter in which, the deputy speaker Among is involved, she (Among) ruled sending it to the committee.

The committee resolved that they would have an in-house discussion on the matter.

Zaake who once appeared before the Committee was still expected on Wednesday but didn’t show up.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna