Ugandan activists have asked the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to formulate guidelines to regulate internet in order to protect citizens from unnecessary shutdowns in the country.
Internet services were shut down during the February general elections, a situation civil society groups described as a violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of speech, opinion and expression as enshrined in the Constitution.
In a September 7 letter to UCC, local charity, the Unwanted Witness Uganda, said there is need to formulate standards for institutions who would wish to interfere with Internet usage in the country.
“These standards which are meant to deter impunity, online violations and abuses by either the State, institutions or individuals, should be in conformity with the Constitution and other international obligations to which Uganda is signatory,” reads the letter.
Similar shutdowns have been experienced in Ethiopia, at times for as long as three days.
