IUIU - Islamic University in Uganda
IUIU - Islamic University in Uganda
09/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2026 09:40
IUIU COMMUNICATION EXPERTS URGE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT DIGITAL FREEDOMS AS STUDY EXPOSES ONLINE ELECTION FEAR
IUIU COMMUNICATION EXPERTS URGE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT DIGITAL FREEDOMS AS STUDY EXPOSES ONLINE ELECTION FEAR
- 11th September, 2026 6:34pm
By Kabigi Rashid
IUIU Communication experts are calling on the government and political actors to urgently strengthen civic rights, guarantee online safety, and protect digital freedoms to rebuild public trust in national democracy.
The call was made in the latest study by Dr. Rajab Idd Muyingo of Islamic University in Uganda and Fahadi Owere of Aydın Adnan Menderes University in Turkey, unveiled at the 16th East African Communication Association Conference at St. Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya, on 27th August 2026.
The study centered on "The influence of X (Twitter) on political communication and democratic Engagement: An Analytical Study of Uganda's 2025-2026 General Elections.
Mr Owere Fahad explained that the study examined how social media platform X reshaped democratic engagement during Uganda's general elections.
"X as a platform has democratized political engagement in Uganda and globally by bypassing traditional media like radio, TV, and newspapers, while simultaneously creating new challenges related to the digital quality of democratic engagement," Owere clarified.
The study findings revealed that over 40 percent of active users on social media platform X hid their political affiliations during the 2025-2026 general election cycle.
According to the study, citizens stayed silent or avoided sharing political views due to fear of state repercussions and pervasive threats directed at individuals expressing anti-government stances.
Dr. Muyingo, the lead author, notes that citizens feared associating with any political party for their own safety.
"Although the survey was anonymous, people feared disclosing their political parties. Supporters of opposition parties were intimidated, and some were arrested by the state, whereas supporters of the ruling party were also mocked,"Muyingo lamented
The authors stress that protecting civic rights requires immediate structural reforms. They noted that while social media holds great potential for political communication, achieving true democracy requires addressing information quality and digital access across all demographics in Uganda.
Dr. Muyingo also urged authorities to protect open political debate while addressing safety.
"Safety measures should not become a justification for unnecessary censorship. Rules should distinguish between harmful content and lawful criticism, whether it is journalism, satire, or unpopular opinions."Muyingo advised
The researchers also urged policymakers to refine legal frameworks to curb digital propaganda, misinformation, and online harassment without suppressing legitimate public debate.
To achieve a safer digital environment, the researchers recommend expanding rural internet infrastructure, teaching media literacy in schools and universities, and developing collaborative frameworks between government, civil society, and social media platforms to curb misinformation.
They warned that without decisive safeguards for free expression and equal platform access, digital spaces will fail to serve as reliable pillars of national democracy.
I have attached the study Abstract and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation of the study for further reviews
IUIU Communication experts are calling on the government and political actors to urgently strengthen civic rights, guarantee online safety, and protect digital freedoms to rebuild public trust in national democracy.
The call was made in the latest study by Dr. Rajab Idd Muyingo of Islamic University in Uganda and Fahadi Owere of Aydın Adnan Menderes University in Turkey, unveiled at the 16th East African Communication Association Conference at St. Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya, on 27th August 2026.
The study centered on "The influence of X (Twitter) on political communication and democratic Engagement: An Analytical Study of Uganda's 2025-2026 General Elections.
Mr Owere Fahad explained that the study examined how social media platform X reshaped democratic engagement during Uganda's general elections.
"X as a platform has democratized political engagement in Uganda and globally by bypassing traditional media like radio, TV, and newspapers, while simultaneously creating new challenges related to the digital quality of democratic engagement," Owere clarified.
The study findings revealed that over 40 percent of active users on social media platform X hid their political affiliations during the 2025-2026 general election cycle.
According to the study, citizens stayed silent or avoided sharing political views due to fear of state repercussions and pervasive threats directed at individuals expressing anti-government stances.
Dr. Muyingo, the lead author, notes that citizens feared associating with any political party for their own safety.
"Although the survey was anonymous, people feared disclosing their political parties. Supporters of opposition parties were intimidated, and some were arrested by the state, whereas supporters of the ruling party were also mocked,"Muyingo lamented
The authors stress that protecting civic rights requires immediate structural reforms. They noted that while social media holds great potential for political communication, achieving true democracy requires addressing information quality and digital access across all demographics in Uganda.
Dr. Muyingo also urged authorities to protect open political debate while addressing safety.
"Safety measures should not become a justification for unnecessary censorship. Rules should distinguish between harmful content and lawful criticism, whether it is journalism, satire, or unpopular opinions."Muyingo advised
The researchers also urged policymakers to refine legal frameworks to curb digital propaganda, misinformation, and online harassment without suppressing legitimate public debate.
To achieve a safer digital environment, the researchers recommend expanding rural internet infrastructure, teaching media literacy in schools and universities, and developing collaborative frameworks between government, civil society, and social media platforms to curb misinformation.
They warned that without decisive safeguards for free expression and equal platform access, digital spaces will fail to serve as reliable pillars of national democracy.
I have attached the study Abstract and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation of the study for further reviews
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