As the 2021 Ugandan election is about to commence, Facebook has shut down all accounts it said are linked to the Ugandan government.
This is coming just only days before elections for a new president and parliament.
According to Facebook, a network connected with the ministry of information had been using fake and duplicate accounts to impersonate users and boost the popularity of posts.
However, in an interview with BBC, the Ugandan government accused Facebook of being biased.
Meanwhile, the run-up to the election has been characterized by tension and violence.
The 76 years President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power for 35 years is being strongly challenged by music star Bobi Wine.
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Bobi Wine is 38 years old. Bobi draws much of his support from young people.
Nevertheless, Bobi Wine has been detained many times and a lot of opposition protesters have been killed.
Also, campaignicampaigning banned in the capital, Kampala and many districts.
The opposition says this is because it is popular in those areas, but the government says the measure is due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“We found this network to be linked to the government Citizens Interaction Center at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in Uganda,” Facebook said in a statement.
“They used fake and duplicate accounts to manage pages, comment on other people’s content, impersonate users, re-share posts in groups to make them appear more popular than they were,” the statement continued.
However, the government spokesman Ofwono Opondo hit replied the following:
Mr Opondo described Facebook as high-handed.
“I think they are playing the usual games,” he added. “We know that they have a side in this election perhaps.”
“We are not familiar with anybody who complains about these accounts,” he said. “The owners have not received any notice and no-one was asked to make any response to the allegations.”
Ofwono Opondo said Thursday’s elections would be free and fair.
She said this as political parties moved to reach a young, politically aware population.
Today, the Ugandan Government has ordered that all social media platforms be shut down prior to their forthcoming presidential election.
However, according to a facebook user, Di Nm, She said thus:
Thanks #kcrw for keeping on top of Ugandan election and broadcasting here in CA. The latest interview from #museveni is just pathetic!
He calls Ugandan people stupid and lazy! To the great shock of the interviwer and newcaster! The journalist literally asks him why he is being condescending to the people he leads!
A foreigner had to insist that Ugandans are really smart ppl….Sad #MuseveniMustGo #PeoplePower #NUP
Sources: BBC.com, Facebook post of Di Nm
