President Museveni orders security and UCC to investigate and arrest those spreading baseless news on social media
By Correspondent
State House has reportedly tasked telecom regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to investigate social media users who are declaring President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni either very sick or dead.
In her press statement, Lindah Nabusayi, the senior presidential press secretary says that the only reason President Museveni is no longer visible is that he has chosen to work virtually as part of the COVID-19 containment measures.
“The President announced a total lockdown and therefore cut down on his public engagements. Most of his work has been through virtual meetings, radio and televisions. Those creating unnecessary fear and panic among the public by spreading fake news are criminals intent on causing havoc. UCC should investigate social media abuse and take action,” Nabusayi said.
However, this has been shocking; the communications regulator was reluctant as the goons continued to feed the public on rubbish mews. aimed at creating panic among the public.
President Museveni said, “We need to crack down on the people that are misemploying social media, including the Ugandans abroad. Many are now using it to spread baseless and tasteless news with total abandon. I call upon security to look into this. It must be stopped, get these people.” This was at Kololo Airstrip while address the nation on Thursaday, July 8,2021.
Meanwhile a Whatsapp group admin has been arrested for reportedly circulating fake news. Ssekyondwa, a resident of Kabuyata village was arrested from Kamira Sub County in Luweero district after a security track down on his WhatsApp messages.
The arrest comes moments after President Museveni bitterly directed security to trace and arrest those who have been using social media to spread fake news about his death.
Jamil Ssekyondwa accused of spreading Museveni ‘death’ news being taken to Luweero CPS for custody
The DPC, Patrick Maikula says the suspect his being held at Luweero CPS pending prosecution in the courts of law.
He further said that the other whatsapp group members are still at large and the suspect could further be charged for the offence of Cyber Harassment contrary to section 24(1), (2) (a) of the Computer Misuse Act, 2011. “We are tracing for the other WhatsApp group members,” the DPC said. “The entire clique must be arrested and charged,” he added.