Ugandan government denies links to Facebook account under its name amid outcry

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda, (AA) - Uganda's government on Thursday distanced itself from a Facebook page operating under its name after a wave of criticism over the account on the social media platform restricted within the East African nation.

On New Year's day, a Facebook page operating under the Ugandan government's name put up a post to celebrate a milestone. The page in question has a "blue badge," indicating that it was verified by the platform.

However, a later official statement tweeted by the government said the Facebook account was not run by authorities. "The only authentic account of Government of Uganda is on Twitter," it said.

Uganda's president banned Facebook in January 2021, after the social media giant deleted a slew of accounts belonging to government officials accused of seeking to manipulate public debate ahead of general elections.

Millions of Ugandans using Facebook were affected, with many now using virtual private network (VPN) applications to access it. Experts have warned that the continued shutdown of Facebook in Uganda was having a toll on civic space and digital markets in the country.

Prior to its suspension, Facebook was the most used social media platform in Uganda.