KAMPALA, UGANDA: Prominent music promoter Abbey Musinguzi popularly known as Abtex Promotions has threatened to drag Government of Uganda to court over continued blockage of Facebook access across the country.
Through his lawyers Elgon Associated Advocates, Abtex has served the notice of intention to sue to the Executive Director Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Attorney General’s Chambers, who have acknowledged receipt of the same.
In a notice served to government on 6th September 2021, the lawyers contend that their client’s work mainly depends on social media platforms like Facebook for marketing, visibility promotion and maximization of sales.
The lawyers add that the closure of Facebook in Uganda has greatly affected the music promotion business which Abtex contends it violates his economic rights and therefore given the government and UCC up to five days to lift the ban on the Facebook failure of which, they will seek legal redress.
Other Law firms involved in this matter alongside Elgon Associated advocates are; Lukwago and Company Advocates, Tumwebaze Atugonza Advocates, Kamulegeya and Company Advocates, Byamugisha Gabriel and Company Advocates and Alto Advocates.
In January 2021, the Uganda Communications Commission ordered internet service providers in the country, to “immediately suspend any access and use” of all messaging apps and social media platforms until further notice.”
Later on 18th Jan 2021, UCC restored the internet and some social media sites with the exception of Facebook.
Currently, most Ugandans who access Facebook do it illegally with the help of Virtual Private Networks(VPN) which constitutes a small population than it was last year.
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