The Ugandan government has shutdown all social media platform in the country, due to the forthcoming 2016 Uganda election.
The 71-years old president Yoweri Museveni, shut down all the social media platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and mobile money services. In one of recent interview on TV, Mr Museveni said:
“Some people misuse those pathways. You know how they misuse them – telling lies. “If you want a right then use it properly.”
Though, many people criticize the restriction of social media, including opposition candidate Amama Mbabazi who tweeted advice on how to do it:
What is VPN : is Virtual Private Network, that redirect your internet activity to a computer in a different country.
President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his 30-year rule in the country, in a race widely seen as the tightest in the East African state’s history.
Despite the restriction of social media in the country, #UgandaDecides was trending on Twitter.
Commonwealth election observer mission head Olusegun Obasanjo said: “It is ill-advised if anyone has blocked social media.”
Major presidential contenders:
Kizza Besigye, 59, veteran opposition leader and once personal doctor to incumbent President Museveni. He has lost the last three elections
Amama Mbabazi, 67, former ally of President Museveni and once prime minister and also served as defence, security and justice ministers
Yoweri Museveni, 71, in power since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986 and he is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.
At GY, we keep our fingers cross and also update you on the 2016 Uganda election.
Photo Credit : Getty Image/Twitter/BBC
Quote Credit: BBC