Lift Facebook ban — Ugandan entrepreneurs ask govt

KAMPALA - Entrepreneurs have appealed to the government to lift the ban on Facebook, claiming that it will help them revive their struggling businesses. 

They said Facebook is a crucial platform for their online operations.

The ban, imposed in 2021, has crippled the livelihoods of countless small business owners who relied heavily on the social media giant to reach customers, promote products, and drive sales.

With over 2.7 million Ugandans actively using Facebook, the platform has been a vital tool for entrepreneurs to expand their customer base, create jobs, and contribute to the country's economic growth.

However, since the ban, many have struggled to stay afloat, facing significant losses and uncertainty about their future.

Emmanuel Emodek, the founder and director of Chap Chap, said many of the entrepreneurs’ innovations are choking because the government banned Facebook, where they used to tap potential clients.

"We are not just asking for Facebook to be unblocked; we are fighting for our livelihoods," said Jane Nalubega, a local entrepreneur in Nakawa market. She also runs an online business that has shrunk by 70% since the ban. "We urge the government to reconsider its stance and recognize the critical role Facebook plays in our economic survival."

Emodek and other panellists were at the national ICT (Information and Communication Technology) hub in Nakawa on Thursday celebrating the National ICT job fair. The event was themed Shaping Uganda’s digital future: bridging skills, innovation, and opportunity.

The aim of the event was to pave the way forward to see how young people can benefit from the new technologies without going through many hiccups.

Emodek said that most people use Facebook for taking and sharing photos, but to him, it is a marketplace where he has ever since sold his products and services.

“Facebook is where you find everyone; if they tell you, you are going to find 10,000 people in this place. You, who are trying to market, want to participate in advertising yourself,” he said. “Everyone is taking a banner outside to show their brand, so would you put yours home? You take it where there are people, and people are online,” he added.

He also pointed out that the closure of Facebook has made online businesses difficult. 

“If I’m to target a Ugandan here, I have to use a virtual private network (VPN); for me to get one lead, if it is costing sh0.1 in a normal transaction with VPN, it will cost me sh0.5,” he said. “The trajectory is that Facebook is trying to find out where a Ugandan is, but the Ugandan is showing in German, so it becomes more expensive for me to acquire that customer,” he explained.

Asked why not use other social media platforms, Emodek insisted that the majority of people are more familiar with Facebook compared to other platforms.

Responding to the outcry Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, said that soon the ban on Facebook will be lifted.

Early this year, Minister Baryomunsi assured that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is in talks with Facebook on how they can resume operations in the country.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja said Uganda is naturally gifted, and most of its young people are talented, energetic, and creative. Their relentless creativity with a clear cutting edge will get them very far in earning a living. This will further end the pressure they pile on the government when it comes to seeking jobs.

Aminah Zawedde, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said youth unemployment remains a significant concern, with around 30% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 still looking for their first job or better opportunities.

She acknowledged that the ministry is committed to creating 30,000 direct and indirect ICT jobs.

“This fair is one of the key initiatives driving us toward that goal, and I am delighted to see its impact grow with each edition,” she said.

In 2022, the first ICT Job Fair created 234 internship placements 550 training opportunities, and 316 direct jobs, while fostering meaningful connections among participating companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“In 2023, we scaled these results, facilitating 107 internships, 8,455 training and Certification opportunities, 126 jobs, 5 apprenticeships, and 28 scholarships. This brought the total number of opportunities to an impressive 8,721,” she said. “This year, we aim to surpass these milestones with even more partners, participants, and opportunities,” she added.

Zawedde said this year’s ICT Job Fair has been designed to equip participants with practical skills and industry insights. These, among others, include a masterclass on artificial intelligence, where attendees will gain valuable knowledge about its transformative impact on industries and the skills needed to excel in an AI-driven world.

Additionally, career guidance sessions to help participants were offered to align their goals with current market trends, curriculum vitae editing workshops to enhance the way job seekers present their skills and experiences, and interactive classes and panel discussions with industry leaders.

Zawedde said the sessions will provide invaluable insights into the skills and competencies employers are actively seeking, ensuring attendees leave better prepared for the dynamic job market.