Finally: Uganda Unblocks Facebook After Years Of Total Ban | Test Yours Now!

By Swift Reporter

Facebook appears to have been restored across Uganda after nearly six years of restricted access, with users reporting that they could access the platform normally on both mobile data and Wi-Fi without using VPNs.

The apparent restoration, first noticed on Friday evening, quickly sparked widespread excitement and confusion online, as many users questioned whether the government had officially lifted the long-standing restriction or whether the change was technical and temporary.

By Saturday morning, there had been no official confirmation from the Uganda Communications Commission on whether the restriction had been permanently removed.

Social media users across the country reported being able to access Facebook freely, marking what would be the first major shift since access was blocked in January 2021 ahead of the general elections.

The platform had been restricted at the time amid accusations by authorities that it was being used to spread misinformation and interfere in electoral processes. The situation escalated after Facebook removed accounts linked to government-aligned networks over what it described as coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

Government later extended restrictions to broader internet and social media services during the election period, citing national security concerns.

Among the first government officials to publicly acknowledge the development was Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara, who welcomed the development while urging users to act responsibly online.

“Thank you Principal for unfreezing Facebook. I urge all users to use this platform responsibly by avoiding violations, misinformation, and disrespectful posts that undermine our leaders, fellow citizens, national security, and the economy,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He further encouraged users to use social media constructively for business promotion, community mobilisation, and national development, while also expressing support for President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The development has triggered widespread debate on X, where users expressed relief, humour, and political commentary. Some welcomed the return of the platform after years of relying on VPNs, while others reflected on how their online habits had changed during the restriction period.

One user said they had abandoned Facebook due to the inconvenience of VPN access, while another described the platform’s return as a nostalgic moment.

Others linked the apparent restoration to broader questions about digital rights, information control, and governance, arguing that similar concerns over misinformation exist across multiple social media platforms.

Despite the online buzz, the absence of an official government statement has left uncertainty over whether the change is permanent, a technical adjustment, or part of a phased policy shift.

For now, Ugandans continue to monitor the situation closely as one of the country’s most widely used social media platforms appears, at least for the moment, to be accessible once again.