As Uganda heads toward the 2026 General Elections, the landscape of political communication is rapidly shifting. Unlike previous elections dominated by traditional media, technological advancements have ushered in a new era where social and digital platforms have become pivotal tools for political mobilisation and information dissemination.
Recognising the potential risks and influence of these platforms, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a stern warning to social media users, particularly journalists and media practitioners.
The Commission is urging all stakeholders to uphold journalistic ethics and refrain from spreading propaganda, hate speech, or fake news during the election period.
With candidates and their supporters increasingly relying on digital platforms to campaign and connect with voters, the UCC has released a set of comprehensive guidelines aimed at promoting responsible online behaviour and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The UCC emphasised that the ethical standards traditionally applied to journalists in mainstream media must equally govern behaviour on digital platforms.
“Do not compromise professional integrity,” the Commission stated, stressing that even personal social media posts must reflect the ethical expectations of journalism..
In the new regulations, the Commission emphasised that the same core principles of journalism practiced in traditional media must govern the behaviour of journalists and media practitioners on social media.
"Do not compromise professional integrity," the statement reads, underscoring the importance of adhering to ethical standards even in personal online interactions.
The UCC outlined several critical areas of conduct for journalists and media houses operating on digital platforms including Integrity where social media users must maintain high standards of ethical conduct and avoid actions that may undermine their credibility.
UCC maintains that accuracy and Source Verification is key and all information published must be thoroughly verified and accurate, social media users and Journalists are encouraged to authenticate sources before sharing any content.
"Even when posting in a personal capacity, media practitioners must remain conscious of their public profiles and affiliations.
“Anyone seeing the posts is likely to identify them with their media organisations,” the UCC noted
UCC also cautions Media professionals against revealing their political affiliations online, as this may compromise objectivity and journalistic independence.
The Commission has also warned journalists against reckless breaking of news.
"Journalists should align with the policies of their respective media organisations before publishing breaking news online, ensuring the credibility and consistency of information dissemination" noted
Hate Speech and Legal Ramifications
The UCC reiterated that while Uganda’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the right to access information, these freedoms do not extend to inciting violence, promoting hate speech, or engaging in war propaganda.
According to Ugandan law, hate speech is a criminal offence.
A person may be found guilty of spreading hate speech if they publish or distribute content—whether verbal, visual, or behavioural—that is threatening, abusive, or insulting and intended to stir up ethnic hatred or cause harm.
The UCC identified contributing factors to hate crimes, including the use of negative stereotypes, emotive media content, hate-filled political speeches, and incendiary advertisements.
The Commission also addressed the growing concern over fake news—fabricated stories presented as factual, often spread via social media to mislead or manipulate public opinion.
The UCC distinguished fake news from misinformation that may result from journalistic errors, urging media houses to tighten quality control measures.
To combat the impact of fake news and election propaganda, the UCC advised media organisations to debunk false information and, where possible, expose its sources, enforce internal social media policies that reflect journalistic values, avoid publishing unverifiable content and Use digital tools to verify the authenticity of images, videos, and audio materials.
As Uganda inches closer to the 2026 elections, the Commission urges all stakeholders, particularly those in the media, to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, both online and offline.
Failure to comply with these regulations could not only undermine public trust but may also lead to legal consequences under Ugandan law.