The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered all telecommunications companies in Uganda to block websites that publish pornographic content, in a move aimed at regulating online material considered inconsistent with the country’s cultural values.
According to UCC spokesperson Ibrahim Bossa, telecom companies received the directive on April 2, 2026, and those that fail to comply risk facing penalties. The measure started being implemented on April 14, 2026, leading to the blocking of about 500 websites.
Bossa explained that the decision is based on provisions of Uganda’s communications regulations, particularly Articles 5 and 10, which allow the commission to regulate online content and issue directives to telecommunications service providers.
He further noted that Article 33 of the same law authorizes the commission to introduce rules aimed at preventing the public from accessing content considered contrary to Ugandan moral standards.
“These regulations restrict the display of content that conflicts with our cultural values and require that adult content follows strict guidelines,” Bossa said.
He added that the policy is also intended to protect children from exposure to explicit material online.
Despite the ban, Bossa acknowledged that some users may still access the blocked websites through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), a challenge the commission says it is aware of and is currently working to address.
