With days left for Ugandans to take to the polls and cast their votes, a number of citizens had resorted to a new independent website www.registry.ugtally.com which has commonly been known as FANON to locate their registration details and polling stations.
However, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has in a statement issued on Thursday revealed that it has directed all licensed telecommunications operators and internet service providers to restrict access to the ‘’unauthorised website’’ over unauthorised operation in the country.
Even though the UCC doesn’t directly mention Fanon and refers to is as an “unauthorised website”, sources have intimated to 360News Ug, that the directive went to the Fanon operated website www.registry.ugtally.com.
The commission noted that it took regulatory action in response to the website providing voter-related information without approval from the relevant authorities.
“Following a formal request from the Electoral Commission, and in line with its statutory mandate under the Uganda Communications Act, the Commission directed licensed telecommunications operators and internet service providers to restrict access to the said website within Uganda” the statement read.
UCC said it blocked the website to safeguard the integrity of public information systems, protect the orderly conduct of electoral processes, and prevent the dissemination of information that could potentially mislead members of the public.
“The management of voter registration data, voter location information, and all electoral processes remains the exclusive constitutional responsibility of the Electoral Commission. Any platforms or applications purporting to provide such services must be duly authorised and aligned with the law” UCC said.
UCC further urged the public that the regulatory intervention was purely administrative and preventive in nature, undertaken to ensure compliance with existing legal and regulatory frameworks governing communications and information services in Uganda.
Earlier this week, rumours of the Fanon powered www.registry.ugtally.com website and arrest of it’s founder began circulating on social media.
“Security operatives arrested the founder of Fanon software, which had been aiding voters in accessing information about names and directions to their polling stations without requiring NINs or other credentials. The website was shut down last night” Sudhir Byaruhanga a senior reporter with NTV posted on his X handle on Tuesday.
The Electoral Commission recently also issued a detailed public warning against the use of the www.registry.ugtally.com.
In the notice, the commission urged voters to use only its official website, www.ec.or.ug/register — to verify voter particulars and polling station information, adding that it had formally written to UCC seeking guidance on enforcement measures.
