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The Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has warned the public about the misuse of social media. 

Speaking at the 14th Communication Consumer Parliament held at Kabale National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality on Thursday, Dr. Baryomunsi urged users to engage positively and refrain from disseminating false information and insults. The forum was organized under the theme Promoting Impactful ICTS.

The Minister highlighted the increasing cases of individuals using social media platforms to spread misinformation and engage in abusive behaviour.

He condemned these actions and reminded the public that the government can trace the origins of harmful posts. Additionally, he revealed that technology is being leveraged to filter and disallow such content.

"The government is committed to building capacity within the country, both in terms of personnel and technology, to safeguard Ugandans against cybersecurity threats and cybercrime. I want to ask Ugandans to use social media for positive communication and not to insult others and spread false information," Dr. Baryomunsi stated.

He outlined efforts to protect citizens from hacking incidents, data theft, and financial fraud. Baryomunsi stressed the importance of public education on the proper use of technology, highlighting the need to keep sensitive information, such as PINs, secure.

Dr. Baryomunsi further assured Ugandans that continuous sensitization and guidance would be provided to help the public navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

The Minister also revealed plans to reduce phone costs in the country through tax exemptions.

“With device factories in Namanve and Mbale, we are working hard to bring data and phone costs down making digital services like banking, trade, Education and health more efficient,” noted Baryomunsi.

Stakeholders attending the Communications Consumer Parliament at NTC Kabale on Thursday. (Photo by Job Namanya)

In his address, George William Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), re-echoed the Minister’s sentiments. He advised the public to exercise caution in their online interactions, particularly avoiding engagements with unknown individuals to prevent falling victim to scams. He also urged people to verify information before accepting it as true, cautioning against the blind belief in unverified social media content.

“Never believe anything on social media before verifying it. First follow the fact-cecking requirements before becoming part of the misinformation crusade,” he noted.

Thembo asked consumers of communication channels to always provide timely and trustworthy feedback for better service delivery from the providers.

“Your feedback informs our goals and for ICTs to be fully adopted, they must have a positive impact. As ICT & consumer protection evolve, UCC is working towards empowering consumers with information & choice, ensuring consumer safety, & tackling cybersecurity risks, mobile money fraud, & substandard devices. Your feedback helps identify issues, improve ICT services, build trust, and ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.

Social media  experiences:

Mary Musiimenta, a recent university graduate was thrilled when she received a message on Facebook offering her a well-paying job at a reputable company. The message, which appeared legitimate, asked her to pay a small processing fee for her application to be considered.

Desperate for employment, Musimenta sent the money via mobile transfer. Weeks passed without any further communication, and when she tried to contact the company directly, she discovered that the job offer was a scam. The social media account had been deleted, leaving her out of money and disheartened.

“I was so disappointed to see that even without any money on me, I lost all to tricksters,” she said.

John Turyatunga, a small business owner in Kabale, was looking for ways to expand his business when he stumbled upon an investment opportunity shared on WhatsApp. The scheme promised high returns within a short period. Enticed by the potential profits, Turyatunga invested his savings. After making the initial investment, he received regular updates and small returns, convincing him to invest more. Eventually, the updates stopped, and the contact numbers were unreachable. He realized he had been scammed when the website and social media pages disappeared, leaving him in financial ruin.

“I lost sh8m in this fake deal, I have since embraced verification of any details I land on to avoid further disappointment,” said Turyatunga.

Another person who was a victim of social media scum was Amina Nuwamanya, a school teacher in Kanungu district who was moved by a heart-wrenching story on Instagram about a young child needing urgent medical treatment. The post included photos and testimonials from supposed family members. Wanting to help, Nuwamanya donated a significant amount of money through a link provided in the post. Later, she found out from a friend that the same story had been circulating with different names and photos, and it was a known scam. The charity did not exist, and the money went to fraudsters.