The American tech company Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, was impacted by a social media shutdown imposed by the Ugandan government ahead of the 2021 General Elections.
This move was prompted by Meta’s deactivation of numerous National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter accounts, citing violations of Facebook’s terms, including the spread of fake news.
Despite alternative platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube, the disabled community emphasizes Facebook’s popularity and convenience.
Ms. Anna Aparo, Chairperson of Busoga Gender-Based Violence and Disability Network, highlighted the significant role Facebook played for persons with disabilities (PWDs) engaged in various businesses such as knitting, Vaseline production, and carpentry.
Digital marketing through Facebook was their preferred method, offering accessibility and convenience.
Ms. Aparo, visually impaired herself, expressed the challenges faced by those with physical disabilities, visual impairments, and deaf individuals in traditional door-to-door marketing compared to the reach they had through Facebook.
The impact of the Facebook ban on PWDs is profound, hindering their ability to conduct businesses from the comfort of their homes and engage with a global clientele.
Ms. Elizabeth Kayanga, Executive Director of Integrated Disabled Women Activities (IDIWA), urged the government to reconsider the ban and suggested reducing taxes on essential equipment like computers and smartphones imported by NGOs, aiming to support PWDs in their businesses.
While IDIWA intervened to organize the belated International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Jinja City due to limited local government funds, Mr. Juma Ssozi, the male councilor representing PWDs, stressed the timeliness of this support.
However, government spokesperson Mr. Ofwono Opondo ruled out the possibility of reactivating Facebook, citing the platform’s suspension of pro-government subscribers.
Despite this, PWDs are resorting to accessing Facebook through virtual private networks (VPNs) or encrypted connections, underscoring the platform’s irreplaceable role in their lives.