Uganda to Maintain Facebook Ban—Minister Baluku
The Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku, has reaffirmed the government’s resolve on the continued suspension of Facebook in Uganda until it meets the regulations. Facebook and other social media platforms were closed in January 2021 as the country prepared to hold presidential elections.
Addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, Baluku emphasized that no entity, including global tech giants or the local press, is exempt from state oversight.
“All of you should know that we are operating in a regulated ecosystem,” Baluku told reporters.
“Even you journalists… if you don’t perform your duties ethically and professionally, we can stop you from practicing. The closure of Facebook was informed by the abrogation of certain regulations within the country.”
Facebook (now Meta) was blocked in Uganda in January 2021 after the platform removed hundreds of accounts linked to the Ministry of ICT and pro-government influencers ahead of the general elections. Since then, the platform has only been accessible via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Baluku revealed that negotiations between the government and Meta have been ongoing for nearly four years without a final resolution.
He maintained that the “suspicion” and subsequent block would only be lifted once Facebook agrees to fulfill specific conditions set by the Ugandan government.
The Minister also issued a stern warning regarding the use of digital platforms to advertise uncertified goods and spread misinformation. He cited the Computer Misuse Act as a primary tool for enforcement.
The closure of Facebook in Uganda, which began in January 2021 and remains in effect, has reportedly altered the country’s digital landscape.
While the government frames the ban as a regulatory necessity to “protect national values” and “curb misinformation,” the effects have rippled across the economy, social connectivity, and the technology sector.
For nearly five years, the ban has acted as a “digital border wall” for Uganda’s informal and small-business sectors.
Before 2021, Facebook was the primary marketing tool for over 2.5 million Ugandans, according to statistics from digital market data from January 2021.
Most of these businesses now use VPNs to access the platform, face unreliable ad targeting, as VPNs spoof locations, making it difficult to reach local Ugandan customers.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) reportedly lost an estimated 700 million shillings annually in potential tax revenue from digital advertising and services that have been driven underground or onto other platforms.
The “Facebook void” has accelerated the growth of other social media ecosystems like TikTok, which has become the “organic reach king” in Uganda, accounting for approximately 56% of all social media data traffic by late 2025.
Some people have shifted to WhatsApp as a Marketplace with approximately 10 million users and a high message response rate (approx. 70%), serving as the de facto platform for closing sales.
Rights organizations like Unwanted Witness and Amnesty International argue the ban stifles freedom of expression and limits political participation, particularly during the 2021 and 2026 election cycles.
Addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, Baluku emphasized that no entity, including global tech giants or the local press, is exempt from state oversight.
“All of you should know that we are operating in a regulated ecosystem,” Baluku told reporters.
“Even you journalists… if you don’t perform your duties ethically and professionally, we can stop you from practicing. The closure of Facebook was informed by the abrogation of certain regulations within the country.”
Facebook (now Meta) was blocked in Uganda in January 2021 after the platform removed hundreds of accounts linked to the Ministry of ICT and pro-government influencers ahead of the general elections. Since then, the platform has only been accessible via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Baluku revealed that negotiations between the government and Meta have been ongoing for nearly four years without a final resolution.
He maintained that the “suspicion” and subsequent block would only be lifted once Facebook agrees to fulfill specific conditions set by the Ugandan government.
The Minister also issued a stern warning regarding the use of digital platforms to advertise uncertified goods and spread misinformation. He cited the Computer Misuse Act as a primary tool for enforcement.
The closure of Facebook in Uganda, which began in January 2021 and remains in effect, has reportedly altered the country’s digital landscape.
While the government frames the ban as a regulatory necessity to “protect national values” and “curb misinformation,” the effects have rippled across the economy, social connectivity, and the technology sector.
For nearly five years, the ban has acted as a “digital border wall” for Uganda’s informal and small-business sectors.
Before 2021, Facebook was the primary marketing tool for over 2.5 million Ugandans, according to statistics from digital market data from January 2021.
Most of these businesses now use VPNs to access the platform, face unreliable ad targeting, as VPNs spoof locations, making it difficult to reach local Ugandan customers.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) reportedly lost an estimated 700 million shillings annually in potential tax revenue from digital advertising and services that have been driven underground or onto other platforms.
The “Facebook void” has accelerated the growth of other social media ecosystems like TikTok, which has become the “organic reach king” in Uganda, accounting for approximately 56% of all social media data traffic by late 2025.
Some people have shifted to WhatsApp as a Marketplace with approximately 10 million users and a high message response rate (approx. 70%), serving as the de facto platform for closing sales.
Rights organizations like Unwanted Witness and Amnesty International argue the ban stifles freedom of expression and limits political participation, particularly during the 2021 and 2026 election cycles.
URA Faces Tough Questions Over Rent Despite Revenue Growth
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URA Faces Tough Questions Over Rent Despite Revenue Growth
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