Telecom companies in Uganda have been ordered to block all access to social media sites for their uses until further notice.
As a result, MTN has announced that it is freezing social media platforms in Uganda following a government directive to do the same.
The announcement is cointained in a statement released on Wednesday, a day before the presidential and parliamentary elections.
“MTN Uganda informs its esteemed customers and other stakeholders that National Telecommunication Operators in the country, have received a directive from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to immediately suspend access and use, direct or otherwise of all social media platforms and online messaging applications over the network until further notice,” the statement says.
It adds, “MTN Uganda has, in compliance with its National Telecommunications Operator License and in accordance with MTN’s group-wide Digital Human Rights due diligence framework implemented the directive. MTN Uganda will continue engaging with the relevant stakeholders to limit the scope and duration of the service disruption.”
On Tuesday, while delivering a televised address, President Yoweri Museveni revealed that government had deiced to block social media sites like Facebook after the latter suspended accounts belonging to government officials.