Uganda to deploy AI for online content regulation

Uganda plans to implement an artificial intelligence-powered system to monitor and filter digital content. Announced by ICT Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, the initiative aims to detect sexually explicit material, including realistic images and videos produced by generative AI tools.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will lead the acquisition of technology capable of identifying specific words and visual content. The government cited concerns from families, educators, and child protection groups regarding the spread of harmful content and the potential for privacy violations through non-consensual AI-generated imagery.

While the project aligns with existing 2019 regulations and a broader national AI strategy developed alongside UNESCO, several implementation details remain undisclosed. The government has not yet specified the technology provider, the total cost, the specific digital platforms to be monitored, or the mechanisms in place to handle false positives and protect user rights. Additionally, the system will need to be capable of processing local languages to be effective within the country’s digital landscape.