Understanding the Growing Threat of Disinformation on Digital Platforms

Disinformation is a growing problem in Uganda, with false information circulating on digital platforms with the aim of intentionally deceiving or causing harm to the public. Disinformation is the spreading of false or misleading information that can be proven to be false or misleading for financial gain or to trick the public on purpose, which can hurt the public.

One major source of disinformation in Uganda is social media. With the rise of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, it has become easy for individuals and groups to spread false information to a large audience. This is especially problematic in countries like Uganda, where access to reliable information is limited and many people rely on social media as their primary source of news.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first made headlines in December 2019, a flood of false information and deliberate disinformation flooded social media platforms. The manipulation of important information for political gain led to a proliferation of ideological propaganda during the COVID-19 crisis, including anti-vaccine sentiments, anti-mask movements, and anti-5G campaigns. On social media, fake accounts pretending to be well-known health experts helped campaigns to spread false information reach more people.

Another source of disinformation in Uganda is political propaganda. During election seasons, political parties and candidates often spread false information about their opponents to gain an advantage. The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (2021) reported the existence of a network of fake social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter that spread coordinated disinformation. CIPESA (2022) revealed that during the 2016 and 2021 general elections in Uganda, multiple fake Twitter accounts (bots) operated by both the ruling and opposition parties were uncovered. It is believed that false information was intentionally spread on social media platforms to manipulate the outcome of elections or tarnish the reputations of opposing candidates. Disinformation mainly focused on topics where politicians and political groups held differing views, particularly those related to human rights, such as the rights of journalists and human rights activists, the impartiality of security forces during elections, and voter identification.

The problem of disinformation in Uganda is further compounded by a lack of media literacy. Many Ugandans are not equipped to critically evaluate the information they see online, and as a result, they may be more likely to believe and spread false information. Online content creators, such as bloggers and media personnel, spread disinformation in order to increase traffic to their websites, resulting in more money. Additionally, some social media account holders spread disinformation in order to gain a large number of followers and become influencers. A high number of followers on a social media account is often seen as a good thing, and these accounts can be used by companies or individuals to advertise or drive certain online conversations.

Disinformation can have serious consequences for individuals and communities. These include causing fear and panic, limiting freedom of expression, damaging trust in media and government, and influencing people's decisions. For example, false information about health and medical topics can lead people to make dangerous or harmful decisions. Disinformation can lead to a toxic political environment where voters are not able to make informed decisions. Disinformation about politics and government can lead people to support policies and candidates that are not in their best interests. It can also lead to violence and harm the reputation of organizations and institutions.

To combat disinformation in Uganda, it is important for individuals and organizations to be aware of the problem and to take steps to protect themselves. This can be done by promoting media literacy through education campaigns and by providing tools and resources to help people distinguish between credible and unreliable information. This can include fact-checking information before sharing it, being mindful of the sources of information, and reporting disinformation when it is encountered. Government and media organizations also have a role to play in combating disinformation. This includes enforcing laws and regulations that prohibit the spread of false information, holding those who spread disinformation accountable, and providing accurate and reliable information to the public. Additionally, social media platforms also have a responsibility to take action against disinformation by removing false information and preventing the creation of fake accounts that spread it.

In conclusion, disinformation is a serious problem in Uganda that can have serious consequences. To address it, we must promote media literacy and fact-checking and hold social media platforms accountable for the spread of false information. It's important to note that disinformation is not just a problem in Uganda but worldwide, and it's important to understand that disinformation is not just a problem of social media. Given that some traditional media outlets also spread disinformation, it's important to be critical of any information we consume.