Uganda President Yoweri Museveni’s government has written to US tech giant Google requesting it to shut down 14 Youtube channels for allegedly mobilising residents to riot. 

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) want Google, the owners of the Youtube video sharing platform, to crack down on the channels ahead of the early 2021 general election.

More than 50 people are reported to have died and scores injured as police crack down hard on protests that erupted in November mainly by supporters of pop star turned MP Bobi Wine.

UCC listed TMO Online, Trending Channel UG, Lumbuye Fred, Uganda News Updates, Uganda Yaffe, Ghetto TV, Uganda Empya, Busesa Media Updates, Map Mediya TV, KK TV, Ekyooto TV, Namungo Media, JB Muwonge 2 and Bobi Wine 2021 Youtube channels in the letter to Google.

UCC claims the said channels were used to mobilise wide demonstrations across Uganda resulting in the loss of tens of lives and destruction of property.

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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Bobi Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested on November 18 resulting in widespread riots in Kampala and across Uganda.

The commission claims it wrote the letter following complaints from the Uganda police Force and Internal Affairs minister, who doubles up as the National Security Council chairman among others.

UCC links the named Youtube channels with publishing, disseminating, and broadcasting of content that violates the Uganda Communications Act of 2013 and Uganda Communications (Content) Regulation 2019.

“(They contain) extremist or anarchic messages, including messages likely to incite violence against sections of the public on account of their tribes and political opinions.... may compromise national security and cause economic sabotage,” said the UCC letter dated December 9, 2020.

This comes as US called for free and fair elections in Uganda on January 14, 2021.

“The United States is a longstanding partner of Uganda. We expect our partners to live up to their obligations to hold free and fair elections. We are paying close attention to the actions of individuals who seek to impede the ongoing democratic process,” tweeted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.