By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Government has lifted a ban on Facebook after 5 years of blockage bringing smiles to many young Ugandans.
The lifting of the ban was confirmed by the new Minister for Local Government, Dr. Balaam Baruhagara on his X-Handle today, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
While announcing the unfreezing of the popular social platform, Balaam attributed the decision to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba saying, “Thank you Principal for unfreezing Facebook.”
Balaam urges all users to use Facebook responsibly by avoiding violations, misinformation, and disrespectful posts that undermine leaders, fellow citizens, national security, and the economy.
“Let us use social media to promote our goods and services, foster constructive engagement, and mobilize communities for national development not for demobilization,” he says.
The Ugandan government blocked Facebook in January 2021 just ahead of the general elections. The restriction was ordered on January 12, 2021, and officially went into effect across the country on January 13, 2021.
President Yoweri Museveni ordered the ban after Facebook took down a network of accounts linked to the Ugandan Ministry of Information, citing coordinated inauthentic behavior and attempts to manipulate public debate.
On the eve of the January 14, 2021 elections, access to the entire internet was temporarily shut down, which was later partially restored. While other social media platforms eventually returned, Facebook remained blocked. For over five years, Ugandans largely bypassed the restriction by using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
