Uganda to maintain Facebook ban — ICT minister

2026-03-27 - 17:14

The government will maintain the suspension of Facebook in Uganda, minister of state for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, has said. Facebook, owned by Meta, was blocked in January 2021 after the platform removed hundreds of accounts it described as fake and linked to the ministry of ICT and pro-government influencers ahead of the general elections. Since then, the platform has remained accessible mainly through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, Kabbyanga said the suspension would remain in place until Meta complies with conditions set by the government. He added that negotiations between the two parties have been ongoing for nearly four years without a final agreement. “No entity is above regulation. Even global technology companies must operate within our laws,” Kabbyanga said, adding that the ban would only be lifted once Facebook meets government requirements. He also warned that digital platforms must not be used to advertise uncertified goods or spread misinformation, noting that enforcement would rely on existing laws, including the Computer Misuse Act. Government has previously defended the ban as necessary to protect national values and curb misinformation. However, the continued suspension has affected businesses, communication and the technology sector. Before the 2021 ban, Facebook was widely used by small and informal businesses as a marketing platform. Many users have since relied on VPNs to access the service, a workaround that complicates ad targeting and limits reach to local customers. The “Facebook void” has accelerated the growth of other social media ecosystems like TikTok, which has become the “organic reach king” in Uganda, accounting for approximately 56 per cent of all social media data traffic by late 2025. TikTok has gained popularity for business promotion and content distribution, while WhatsApp has increasingly been used as a marketplace for direct customer engagement. Kabbyanga further said that the government is currently positively engaging X and TikTok to monetise content creation for Ugandans through formalising and streamlining payment systems. Rights groups, including Unwanted Witness and Amnesty International, have criticised the continued suspension, arguing that it limits freedom of expression and affects political participation, particularly during election periods.