KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a public warning over the continued circulation of false and misleading information masquerading as official communication from the regulator, cautioning that those behind the fabrications will face legal consequences.
In a public notice dated Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Commission said it had observed with concern a growing trend of fake notices and fabricated statements designed to misinform the public and undermine trust in official institutions.
According to UCC, the misleading materials are deliberately crafted to resemble authentic commission communications but contain exaggerated, distorted, or entirely false directives that fall outside the regulator’s legal mandate.
“These materials, designed to mimic our official communication, are easily identifiable by one critical flaw: they misstate, exaggerate, or entirely invent mandates that do not fall within the regulatory or enforcement authority of the Uganda Communications Commission,” the notice stated.
The regulator warned that the dissemination of such content is not accidental, but a calculated effort to confuse the public, provoke alarm, and erode confidence in Uganda’s communications ecosystem.
UCC emphasised that it only communicates through verified and official digital platforms, urging members of the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing content that purports to originate from the Commission.
“Members of the public are therefore urged to verify and confirm before sharing any information purporting to originate from the Commission by referring directly to UCC’s official channels,” the statement read.
The warning comes amid heightened public sensitivity around information integrity, following recent election-related internet restrictions and increased scrutiny of digital communication in Uganda.
In unusually strong language, the Commission also addressed individuals involved in the creation and distribution of fake notices, cautioning that online anonymity does not place them beyond the reach of the law.
“To those behind the creation and distribution of fake notices: anonymity on the internet is but an illusion, you are not ghosts. The law will take its course, and those responsible will be brought to book to answer for their actions,” UCC warned.
The regulator reiterated its commitment to transparency, public reassurance, and the protection of Uganda’s communications environment, saying it would continue to engage the public through official and verifiable platforms.
