Uganda blocked social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp today prior to the inauguration ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni in the capital Kampala.
Museveni’s re-election was dismissed as a sham by his opposition including long time challenger Kizza Besigye.
The long serving leader who came to power in 1986 was declared winner of the February 18 vote with 60 percent of the votes.
Various heads of state and other top leaders from across the continent were present in the ceremony.
Godfrey Mutabazi, executive director of the telecommunications regulator, said security agencies had requested the blockage of the social sites as “a measure to limit the possibility of terrorists taking advantage” of visits by dignitaries.
The authorities blocked social media during voting and shortly afterwards, a move criticised at the time by the United States and rights groups, who said it undermined the integrity of the process.
