The new report ‘The Global Disinformation Order: 2019 Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation’, co-authored by Professor Philip Howard, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), and Samantha Bradshaw, Researcher at the OII, is the only regular inventory of its kind to look at the use of algorithms, automation and big data to shape public life.

The report explores the tools, capacities, strategies and resources employed by global ‘cyber troops’, typically government agencies and political parties, to influence public opinion in 70 countries.

Key findings include:

o    Organized social media manipulation has more than doubled since 2017, with 70 countries using computational propaganda to manipulate public opinion.

o    In 45 democracies, politicians and political parties have used computational propaganda tools by amassing fake followers or spreading manipulated media to garner voter support.

o    In 26 authoritarian states, government entities have used computational propaganda as a tool of information control to suppress public opinion and press freedom, discredit criticism and oppositional voices, and drown out political dissent.

o    Foreign influence operations, primarily over Facebook and Twitter, have been attributed to cyber troop activities in seven countries: China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

o    China has now emerged as a major player in the global disinformation order, using social media platforms to target international audiences with disinformation.

o    25 countries are working with private companies or strategic communications firms offering a computational propaganda as a service.

o    Facebook remains the platform of choice for social media manipulation, with evidence of formally organised campaigns taking place in 56 countries.

Professor Philip Howard, Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford said:

“The manipulation of public opinion over social media remains a critical threat to democracy, as computational propaganda becomes a pervasive part of everyday life. Government agencies and political parties around the world are using social media to spread disinformation and other forms of manipulated media. Although propaganda has always been a part of politics, the wide-ranging scope of these campaigns raises critical concerns for modern democracy.”

Samantha Bradshaw, Lead author of the report and Researcher, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford said:

“The affordances of social networking technologies – algorithms, automation and big data – vastly changes the scale, scope, and precision of how information is transmitted in the digital age. Although social media was once heralded as a force for freedom and democracy, it has increasingly come under scrutiny for its role in amplifying disinformation, inciting violence, and lowering trust in the media and democratic institutions.”

The report explores the tools and techniques of computational propaganda, including the use of fake accounts – bots, humans, cyborgs and hacked accounts – to spread disinformation. The report finds:

o    87 per cent of countries used human accounts

o    80 per cent of countries used bot accounts

o    11 per cent of countries used cyborg accounts

o    7 per cent of countries used hacked or stolen accounts

In addition, Oxford researchers examine how cyber troops use different communication strategies to manipulate public opinion, such as creating disinformation, mass-reporting content or accounts, and employing abusive strategies such as trolling, doxing, or harassment. The report finds:

o    52 countries used disinformation and media manipulation to mislead users

o    47 countries used state sponsored trolls to attack political opponents or activists in 2019, up from 27 countries in 2018

Professor Howard adds;

“A strong democracy requires access to high quality information and an ability for citizens to come together to debate, discuss, deliberate, empathise and make concessions. Although there are an increasing number of government actors turning to social media to influence public attitudes and disrupt elections, we remain optimistic that social media can be a force for good creating a space for public deliberation and democracy to flourish.”

The 2019 report draws upon a four-step methodology employed by Oxford researchers to identify evidence of globally organised manipulation campaigns. This includes a systematic content analysis of news articles on cyber troop activity, a secondary literature review of public archives and scientific reports, generating country specific case studies and expert consultations. The research work was carried out by Oxford researchers between 2018-2019.

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Uganda has received an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Certificate in Aviation Security at a special ceremony at the ICAO Headquarters in Montreal during the 40th Session of the ICAO Assembly running from September 24 to October 4, 2019.

The recognition follows an outstanding performance in the Universal Security Audit Programme, Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2017,

The ICAO Council President Certificate in Aviation Security, which was established in support of ICAO’s ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative, was received at a colorful ceremony at the ICAO Assembly on September 24, 2019.

Uganda’s delegation is led by the Minister of State for Transport, Aggrey Bagiire.  The delegation also comprises the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Board Chairman, Eng. Edward Mike Ndawula and Director General, Prof. David Kakuba, among others.

“I am pleased to inform you that, in recognition of your State’s progress in resolving aviation security oversight deficiencies and improving the Effective Implementation of applicable ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS), your state has been selected to receive an ICAO Council President Certificate in Aviation Industry.” said Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, the ICAO Council President.

The eligibility criteria used for this recognition are objective and transparent and are based on the results of the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) activities”, he said in an earlier letter to UCAA’s Director General.

Uganda scored 81.8 per cent in the most recent ICAO USAP-CMA audit conducted in 2017.  This was well above the global average of 73 per cent and the African and Indian Ocean (AFI) states average of 58 per cent.

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Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, through Century and Rwenzori Bottling Companies, has launched a collaboration with Nyonta Relief to provide increased access to safe water for vulnerable households in Ndeeba, in Kampala.

Supporting the project “Nyonta Tree For Life”, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will supply 100 ‘Nyonta Kits’ to families in Ndeeba, which will give them clean drinking water for use in their households for drinking, cooking and other uses.

The Nyonta Kit uses gravity to purify over 100 LPD of any water from a fresh water source making it safe for human consumption. The contribution is valued at Shs33 million and will go to 500 people in the Ndeeba community.

Conrad van Niekerk, Managing Director of Century and Rwenzori Bottling Companies, said the company support to the vulnerable communities in Ndeeba was underpinned by the belief that all people around the world deserved a chance to access safe water for life.

“It is therefore critical for us, as part of the world’s leading beverage company, to use water responsibly in our operations and also lead in giving it back. We work to protect local water resources and provide safe, clean drinking water to communities in need,” he said.

He said Water was a key issue for the Coca-Cola system around the world and pledged that the company would continue using water responsibly to ensure that the bottling operations in Uganda reduced water use and supported the provision on safe, clean drinking water to communities.

Explaining the project, Nyonta Relief Patron, Ms. Joyce Nabosa Ssebugwawo, said that In Uganda, it is estimated that 33 children die every day due to diarrhea from contaminated drinking water.

“That is why we launched the ‘Anti33’ campaign; to bring together people and organisations who feel the moral obligation to help reduce the number of children dying of preventable drinking water diseases. We are happy that Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has joined us today,” she said.

Lubaga division Mayor, Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, said that since mothers are the custodians of household health, ensuring the availability of drinking water in homes is their direct responsibility. She encouraged all women to join the campaign.

“Having access to clean drinking water is key to a healthy life. Additionally, availability of clean drinking water has the power to encourage gender equality, stable education for children in a home and income generation for mothers who will have ample time since sickness in a home is eliminated.” She said

It is worth noting that millions of people across the world are deprived of this essential need. The issue is particularly problematic in Southern Africa. According to UNICEF, in Uganda it is estimated that 60 per cent of the population has no access to potable water, leading to the death of 33 children every day.

The Ministry of Water and Environment in July this year presented Coca-Cola Beverages Africa with an award for Water Usage Efficiencies at the Mbarara Plant, after a sector audit covering 24 companies in Uganda.

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Police has defended the transfer of Hoima District Police Commander (DPC), Christopher Katumba, a few hours to  to the hotly contested Woman Member of Parliament by-election now underway in that district.

According to police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, Katumba was transferred to the Environmental Protection Police Unit and replaced by  DPC of Mubende District, Martin Okoyo.
“Mr. Katumba was not transferred due to political influence rather by institution’s policy framework in place that allows for transfers and postings of police officers to various posts.”

He said it was a placement committee’s decision, whose end goal is to appraise and monitor the performance of all officers, whether competent or incompetent, was set up, to ensure all transfers and postings, are transparent and merit based.

“The committee works independently and looks at features such as civil service values and code of ethics and conduct. Therefore, those who are attempting to bring propaganda in matters of our transfer and postings, must know that it is a prerogative of the placement committee, which should not be circumvented citing political influence,” he said.

Enanga said that bye elections taking place in Hoima and Kabong are isolated policing events, out of the wider initiatives in place. They are being policed, based on a policing plan and not tagged to an individual. So far, the polling exercise is progressing well in both electoral areas, without any significant crime and safety concerns.

“The appraisal and monitoring of all officers, is a key tool in our service delivery and development mandate. It also promotes clear linkages between the command and tactical levels and helps us build on our achievements and also address shortcomings,” he said.

The by-election is peddled at filling the vacancy left behind by the former district woman MP Kaahwa Tophace Byagiira who crossed to represent the newly created Kikuube district. The stiff competition is between NRM flag-bearer Harriet Businge Mugenyi and FDC’s Asinansi Nyakato, the joint opposition candidate for the Hoima Woman MP.

Recently, the opposition led by Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kyadondo east MP Robert Kyagulanyi and national resistance movement (NRM) led by its chairman who double as the president of the country Yoweri Museveni camped in the area to canvas support for their respective candidates.

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