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11Feb

Social Media’s Role in Hate Speech: A Double-Edged Sword for South Sudan

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Ochaya Jackson & George Gumikiriza |

The lead-up to and aftermath of the now-stalled December 2024 elections in South Sudan has highlighted the role of social media as a powerful tool for communication, civic engagement, and information sharing. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok have connected people across the world’s youngest nation, enabling dialogue, amplifying marginalised voices, and spreading crucial information. However, alongside these benefits, social media has also become a breeding ground for hate speech, misinformation, and incitement to violence.

The Rise of Hate Speech on Social Media

From June to November 2024, DefyHateNow (recently renamed Digital Rights Frontlines – DRF) monitored incidents of hate speech in South Sudan. The monitoring was done on content created and shared via social media platforms. Of the 255 incidents recorded, Facebook accounted for 89.4%, with WhatsApp, X, and TikTok coming in as close second. The monitoring findings further indicate that 50.5% of online content contained misinformation or disinformation, while 39.9% was classified as hate speech.

Facebook is the most widely used social media platform in South Sudan, which explains why it holds most of the illegal and harmful content. The popularity of the platform partly arises from its “free mode” feature which allows MTN mobile subscribers in South Sudan to access Facebook, create and share content when they do not have an internet data bundle; only viewing or uploading photos and videos requires users to have data.

Social media’s accessibility and rapid reach make it easy for harmful content to spread, fueling ethnic and political tensions. Given South Sudan’s history of conflict, inflammatory online rhetoric can have real-world consequences, inciting violence, deepening divisions, and undermining peacebuilding efforts.

Why Does Hate Speech Spread So Easily?

As part of the project, DefyHateNow convened the country’s first Symposium in commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech as a platform for collective action to combat hate speech. The engagements identified several factors that contribute to the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation in South Sudan:

Ethnic and Political Divisions – Long-standing ethnic rivalries and political conflicts provide fertile ground for harmful narratives that further divide communities.

Lack of Digital Literacy – Many social media users lack the skills to critically assess the credibility of online content, making them more susceptible to misinformation.

Anonymity and Lack of Accountability – Many harmful posts are made under fake names or anonymous accounts, reducing the fear of repercussions.

Weak Regulatory Frameworks – South Sudan lacks robust policies to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful content.

Algorithmic Amplification – Social media algorithms prioritise engagement, often promoting divisive and inflammatory content because it generates more reactions and shares.

The Positive Side: Social Media for Good

Despite these challenges, social media remains a vital tool for positive change. Platforms have been used for:

Peacebuilding and Dialogue – Initiatives like #defyhatenow and DRF’s online campaigns promote counter-speech and encourage respectful conversations.

Fact-checking and Misinformation Prevention – Programmes like 211Check work to verify online information and educate communities about identifying false narratives.

Civic Engagement – Social media allows citizens to engage with governance, report human rights abuses, and access critical updates on national issues.

Curiosity – The disinformation awareness campaigns conducted raise the level of literacy and criticality among online audiences, which makes them detect and counter disinformation.

Towards maximising the benefits of social media, DefyHateNow also conducted awareness campaigns through the publication of animations in print media, radio talk shows and dissemination of posters across South Sudan’s capital Juba. The campaign messages reinforced the call for action against hate speech, misinformation and disinformation as well as raised awareness about their dangers and how to identify them.

Ahead of the rescheduled elections slated for December 2026, collective effort from tech companies, policymakers, civil society, the media and individual users is required to address the challenges of hate speech and disinformation. By promoting digital literacy, implementing stronger regulations, and encouraging responsible social media use, South Sudan can harness the power of social media platforms for peace and progress.

DefyHate Now’s work was supported by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) in the context of the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF).

Do you want to be part of the solution? Join Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) in advocating for safer digital spaces. Stay informed, report harmful content, and contribute to a more inclusive and responsible online community.

For more information, visit www.digitalrights.ngo or contact us at [email protected]

18Jan

Join CIPESA’s Critical Research on Biometric Data Privacy in Uganda

Author CIPESA Writer Posted on

In an era where biometric data collection is rapidly expanding across Uganda’s public and private sectors, the need for expert oversight has never been more critical. From national ID systems to voter registration and SIM card verification, these digital transformations are reshaping privacy rights and surveillance capabilities in ways that demand careful scrutiny.

CIPESA is seeking a qualified consultant to peer review groundbreaking research on biometric data collection and its implications for digital rights in Uganda.

This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to:

  • Shape policy recommendations on digital rights and data protection in Uganda
  • Contribute to protecting citizens’ privacy rights in an increasingly digital ecosystem
  • Work with a leading organization at the intersection of technology and human rights
  • Deliver meaningful impact in just 15 days of focused work

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • An advanced degree in Law, international human rights law, or related field
  • Deep understanding of digital rights and data protection frameworks
  • Proven research and analytical capabilities
  • Strong track record in producing clear, actionable reports

Ready to contribute to this vital work? Submit your application by January 27, 2025 (18:00 EAT), including:

  • Cover letter
  • CV
  • Two samples of research work
  • Financial proposal

Download Research Consultant ToRs here.

Send your application to [email protected] with cc to [email protected].

This project is supported by Enabel and the European Union.

08Jan

Call for Applications: Up to €10,000 Support Fund to Champion Digital Rights in Uganda’s Business Sector

Author CIPESA Posted on
Announcement | 

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), in partnership with Enabel and the European Union, is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uganda. This initiative is part of the Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Business in Uganda (ARBHR) project, a collaborative effort to strengthen digital rights advocacy and awareness in the business sector while reducing human rights abuses connected to business activities, particularly those impacting women and children.

About the Opportunity

Through this EU-supported initiative, CIPESA will select six (6) CSOs to receive funding of up to €10,000 each subject to demonstrated need, for implementing digital rights awareness and advocacy programs. Selected organisations will benefit from comprehensive mentorship training and collaborative planning support to develop effective action plans that address the growing challenges of digital rights in Uganda’s business environment.

Eligibility Requirements

Organisations must demonstrate:

  • Relevant organisational mandate and scope
  • Innovative approaches to digital rights advocacy
  • Focus on human rights in agriculture, natural resources, or digital space
  • Commitment to inclusivity (youth, women, persons with disabilities, or refugees)
Geographic Coverage

Eligible organisations must be based or operational in one of these regions:

  • Busoga (Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri, and Bugweri)
  • Albertine (Hoima, Kikuube, Masindi, Buliisa, and Kiryandongo)
  • Kampala Metropolitan (Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso)
Project Duration

Selected projects will run for a maximum of eight (8) months.

How to Apply

To apply, please download the following documents:

Start your Application

All application components must be submitted using the online application form. Incomplete applications or those submitted through other channels will not be considered.

Deadline: Interested organisations should submit their applications by January 24, 2025. 

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

11Nov

Fostering Responsible Business Conduct in Uganda’s Digital Age

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Patricia Ainembabazi |

The sixth edition of the Business and Human Rights Symposium in Uganda marked an essential step in Uganda’s journey to foster responsible and rights-respecting business conduct. Hosted on November 4-5, 2024, the symposium brought together over 200 participants from government, the private sector, academia, and civil society. It offered a platform to reflect on Uganda’s advancements in implementing its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and to consider newer frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

As part of the two-day proceedings, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) hosted a panel discussion on the interplay between digital innovation and the protection of human rights, highlighting both successes and challenges in Uganda’s tech ecosystem. The panel discussed the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how they align with the technology sector.

Source: Business for Social Responsibility  

Highlighting Uganda’s growing technology sector, including increased mobile and internet penetration as well as digitalisation of private and public services, the session also spotlighted pressing concerns, such as internet disruptions, labour rights violations, gender discrimination, and data protection and privacy, which continue to challenge human rights protections in the country’s growing digital economy.

Joel Basoga, Head of Technology Practice at H&G Advocates, stated that ​​it was “essential” for businesses in Uganda to embed respect for human rights as a core performance indicator guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. He added that for a tech-driven business landscape, legal frameworks surrounding digital rights need to be prioritised.

According to Patricia Ainembabazi, a Project Officer at CIPESA, there was limited understanding of business and human rights in the technology sector. Platforms such as the symposium were crucial in building a thematic understanding of digital rights. 

In 2021, Uganda became the first African country to finalise a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR), based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The plan strengthens the government’s duty to protect human rights, enhances the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and ensures access to remedies for victims of human rights violations and abuses resulting from non-compliance by business entities.

In October 2024, CIPESA joined the first meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Technical Committee on Business and Human Rights, which supports the Uganda labour ministry’s role of coordinating the National Action Plan and provides technical guidance on all business and human rights interventions. At that meeting, CIPESA made the case for mainstreaming digital rights in the implementation of the action plan and also urged stakeholders to leverage innovative technologies to improve the outcomes of the action plan.

Similar to other countries in Africa, Uganda’s plan does not provide for digital rights protection, yet digital technologies have become central not only to how many businesses operate, but also to how individuals learn, work, socialise, and participate in community affairs. This increased digitalisation has had an impact on the ability of businesses to respect their human rights obligations.

Objectives of Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
1. To strengthen institutional capacity, operations and coordination efforts of state and non-state actors for the protection and promotion of human rights in businesses;  
2. To promote human rights compliance and accountability by business actors;  
3. To promote social inclusion and rights of the vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups in business operations;  
4. To promote meaningful and effective participation and respect for consent by relevant stakeholders in business operations; and  
5. To enhance access to remedy to victims of business-related human rights abuses and violations in business operations.

Speakers urged for increased cross-sector collaboration among stakeholders to align national frameworks more closely with the UN Guiding Principles. Opportunities for intervention include a push for robust data protection and privacy protections by the private sector; affordability of the internet and related technologies to ensure access to digital spaces; and raising awareness on digital rights roles and responsibilities for consumers and business owners. The symposium called upon stakeholders such as telecommunication companies, Internet Service Providers (ISP), financial institutions, innovators, and online platform operators to harmonise business goals with digital rights principles.

As part of the implementation of the NAPBHR, CIPESA is part of the newly launched Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda project led by Enabel and Uganda’s Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development. The project is part of the European Union’s support towards the implementation of Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and focuses on three thematic areas: labour rights in the agricultural sector, natural resource governance and land, and digital rights and internet governance. The project will work with six civil society organisations to drive advocacy, dialogue, and actions that strengthen Uganda’s Business and Human Rights agenda. Additionally, 50 businesses will receive support to implement human rights due diligence aligned with national and international standards.

14Dec

South Sudan’s Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Order 2021 Stifles Citizens’ Rights

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Edrine Wanyama |

South Sudan has enacted the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Provisional Order 2021 aimed to  combat  cybercrimes. The country has a fast-evolving technology sector, with three mobile operators and 24 licensed internet service providers. Investments in infrastructure development have propelled internet penetration to 16.8% and mobile phone penetration to 23% of the country’s population of 11.3 million people, which necessitates a law to curb cybercrime.

The Order is based on article 86(1) of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, which provides that when parliament is not in session, the president can issue a provisional order that has the force of law in urgent matters.

The Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Order makes strides in addressing cybercrimes by extending the scope of jurisdiction in prosecuting cybercrimes to cover offences committed in or outside the country against citizens and the South Sudan state. The Order also establishes judicial oversight especially over the use of forensic tools to collect evidence, with section 10 requiring authorisation by a competent court prior to collecting such evidence. Furthermore, the Order attempts to protect children against child pornography (section 23 and 24), and provides for prevention of trafficking in persons (section 30) and drugs (section 31).

However, the Order is largely regressive of citizens’ rights including freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to privacy.

The Order gives overly broad definitions including of “computer misuse,” “indecent content,” “pornography,” and “publish” which are so ambiguous and wide in scope that they could be used by the state to target government opponents, dissidents and critics. The definitions largely limit the use of electronic gadgets and curtail the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information.

Article 22 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 guarantees the right to privacy. The country has ratified the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that provides for the right to privacy under article 17 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, whose article 5 provides for the right to respect one’s dignity, which includes the right to privacy. The Order appears to contravene these instruments by threatening individual privacy.

Despite a commendable provision in section 6 imposing an obligation on service providers to store information relating to communications, including personal data and traffic data of subscribers, for 180 days – a period far shorter compared to other countries – personal data is still potentially at risk. The section requires service providers and their agents to put in place technical capabilities to enable law enforcement agencies monitor compliance with the Order. With no specific data protection law in South Sudan and without making a commitment to the leading regional instrument, the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, privacy of the citizens is at stake.

The section on offences and penalties lacks specificity on fines which may be levied on errant individuals or companies. On the other hand, some of the offences provided for under the Order potentially curtail freedom of expression and the right to information. For instance, the offence of spamming under section 21 could be interpreted to include all communications through online platforms including social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. Under the provision, virtually all individuals who forward messages on social media stand the risk of prosecution. This also has a chilling effect on freedom of expression and the right to information.

The offence of offensive communication under section 25 potentially has a chilling effect on freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information. A similar provision under section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act, 2011 of Uganda has been widely misused to persecute, prosecute and silence political critics and dissidents. Section 25 of the South Sudan Cybercrimes Order could be used in a similar manner to target government critics and dissidents. 

In CIPESA’s analysis of the Order, we call for specific actions that could ensure the prevention of cybercrime while at the same time not hurting online rights and freedoms, including:

  • Deletion of problematic definitions or provisions from the Order.
  • Enactment of a specific data protection law to guarantee the protection of data of individuals.
  • Urgent drafting of rules and regulations to prescribe the procedures for implementing the Order.
  • Ratification of the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection.
  • Service providers should not be compelled to disclose their subscribers’ information to law enforcement agencies except on the basis of a court order.
  • Amendment of the Order to emphasise the oversight role of courts during the processes of access, inspection, seizure, collection and preservation of data or tracking of data under section 9.

Read the full analysis here.

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