Ugandans have been urged to behave very well if they want to continue using the internet during elections, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has warned. According to UCC, the behavior of digital space users will be used to determine whether the Internet is shut down or stay before, during and after polls.
UCC’s legal advisor, Abdu Sallam Waiswa, explains that they are working alongside other agencies to monitor the conduct of digital space users and this will be the basis for making the decision on whether to keep the internet on or shut it down during elections.
Waiswa states that currently there is no known position currently on whether to keep or disconnect the Internet during polls but the final decision will solely lie on the general behavior of digital spaces on platforms such as X, Facebook, and TikTok.
Waiswa says if the regulatory agencies working alongside security agencies observe that the Internet has become a security threat, there will be no hesitation to shutting it down. Waiswa was responding to a question on whether Ugandans should expect Internet shut down like it happened in 2021 presidential and parliamentary polls.
Kituuma Rusoke, the police spokesperson, said as police they are only responsible for tracking crimes committed on digital spaces but cannot give order for internet shut down. Rusoke said the decision has to be made by UCC or NITA-U upon receiving satisfying evidence that the digital spaces are being used to commit crimes like inciting violence.
Junior Komuhanda, a fruit dealer explains that internet shut down will affect the business because the clients will not be able to access the services via social media platforms. He expresses concern because the shut down will affect payment of operation bills.
Flora Kizza, says she conducts her boutique business using digital spaces such as Facebook and X. Kizza says most of her clients access the information about her business on the internet and contact her to deliver clothes or direct them where the shop is located.
Waiswa warns that even though there is no law prohibiting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are laws such as the Computer Misuse Act which be used to prosecute people who create, share or post inciting images and statements. UCC insists that the Internet will be available if the users use it responsibly.