Government plans to regulate social media use and reduce internet costs, Minister for ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi has announced.
Speaking at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi on Tuesday, Baryomunsi revealed that a communication policy is in place to guide responsible social media use, encouraging citizens to utilize platforms for business, education, research, and personal growth.
“We have written a communication policy that will regulate the use of social media so that people can use it in a proper manner for self-development,” Baryomunsi said.
The government also plans to acquire machines to filter social media content, aiming to promote productive use rather than block users.
On internet costs, Baryomunsi said the government is working to make services more affordable nationwide.
“The National Backbone Infrastructure now connects internet from abroad, and we are working to spread fast and reliable internet countrywide,” he said, noting significant reductions in internet bandwidth costs over the years.
The minister attributed the reductions to expanded fibre optic cables and multiple internet routes through neighboring countries.
“We only had one internet route, but we have added connections through Rwanda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. This will help reduce internet costs,” he explained.
Baryomunsi also mentioned regional efforts to produce affordable digital devices.
“We are lobbying manufacturers to produce phones and computers locally, which will help reduce prices,” he said, adding that affordable devices and internet services will improve lives.
“If the prices of phones, computers, and internet are reduced, people will be able to transact using their phones, study online, and access services more easily. That is what the government is working to achieve,” Baryomunsi concluded.
