GOVERNMENT EYES AI TOOL TO CURB RISING NUDE AND EXPLICIT CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The government of Uganda is planning to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered system to identify and filter vulgar, sexually explicit and other inappropriate content shared on social media and digital platforms.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Kasule Lumumba, says the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is in the process of procuring the system to help restrict certain words and content considered offensive.

Speaking on NBS Television, Lumumba expressed concern over the growing circulation of sexually explicit material online, including AI-generated images and videos, warning that technological advancements are increasingly being misused in ways that conflict with Uganda's cultural values.

The proposed system is expected to use AI to detect and filter targeted content before it is distributed across digital platforms. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the technology provider, the categories of language it will flag, its cost or when it will become operational.

The plan comes amid growing concerns from parents and other stakeholders about children's exposure to inappropriate material on platforms such as TikTok and X, formerly Twitter.

Uganda has previously issued directives restricting the broadcast and sharing of vulgar, obscene and other prohibited content across television, radio and online platforms.

However, the proposed AI system raises questions about how offensive content will be defined, how the technology will be implemented across platforms, and what safeguards will be put in place to protect freedom of expression and prevent legitimate online discussions from being censored.

The initiative signals a renewed government effort to regulate digital content as social media continues to shape public conversations, entertainment and communication in Uganda.