MTN Uganda: We were ordered to block social media platforms

Telecom service provider MTN Uganda has revealed that the suspension of access to social media platforms was not their decision rather a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Yesterday President Yoweri Museveni ordered for shut down of social media platforms after google erased Facebook accounts and pages of his campaign propagandists.

Facebook’s head of communication for sub-Saharan Africa, Kezia Anim-Addo, said; “We removed a network of accounts and pages in Uganda that engaged in CIB (Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour) to target public debate ahead of the election.”

According to MTN Uganda CEO Wim Vanhelleputte, the National Telecommunication Operators in the country have received a directive from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to immediately suspend access and use, direct or otherwise of all social media platforms and online messaging applications over the network until further notice.

He said MTN Uganda has, in compliance with its National Telecommunications Operator License and in accordance with MTN’s group wide Digital Human Rights due diligence framework implemented the directive.

“MTN Uganda will continue engaging with the relevant stakeholders to limit the scope and duration of the service disruption,” he said.