TikTok’s Mass Video Removals Say a Lot About Uganda’s Misinformation Problem

Over the last few weeks, many Ugandan TikTokers woke up to a similar shock: videos missing, posts taken down, or entire accounts suddenly looking lighter than they were the night before. TikTok removed more than 1.5 million videos posted by Ugandans over what the social media network terms platform violation.

@trtafrika TikTok has removed at least 1.5 million videos posted by Ugandans between April and June 2025. #africantiktok #explained ♬ original sound – TRT Afrika

A Platform Moving Faster Than It Can Control

TikTok’s algorithm is built to push whatever captures attention not necessarily whatever is true. So when a misleading video packs emotion, drama, or political tension, it rises quickly. With a heated election season currently in Uganda, it is undeniable that that this led to a heightened increase in misinformation spreading across Tiktok.

Some of the videos posted by Ugandan users that have been misinforming people on Tiktok

@vyrootaempire #viral #fyp #foryoupage #vyroota256 @sheilahprice.tv @Galaxy TV Jikonkone @100.2 Galaxy FM Zzina! @chickenCHICKEN ♬ original sound – VyrootaEmpire

@mrfantasticcomedy Uganda President Yoweri Museveni wants to contest again after 40years #ugandatiktok🇺🇬 #president #museveni #uganda #ugandaelections2026 ♬ original sound – Mr Fantastic Comedy 🎭🤡

@vyrootaempire #viral #fyp #foryoupage #vyroota256 @sheilahprice.tv @Galaxy TV Jikonkone @100.2 Galaxy FM Zzina! @chickenCHICKEN ♬ original sound – VyrootaEmpire

@ivantechphones bad news for today! #viraltiktok #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp ♬ original sound – News Reporter(wano na wali)

Uganda was ranked 29th in the world among nations with the highest number of videos removed from TikTok during the three-month period.

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How Tiktok is a major influence factor of information in thsi election

Every Ugandan election attracts misinformation but this time round Tiktok is a a major factor brcause

Where young voters get news
Where political drama trends
Where edited audio quickly becomes “proof”
Where influencers intentionally or unintentionally push narratives

The real issue is that TikTok has become a major information channel in Uganda without building the local capacity to moderate it well. And Ugandans have become storytellers, commentators, activists, political communicators, and sometimes misinformers without knowing.

What Debunk Media Is Watching Closely

In this election season, Debunk is monitoring

How political narratives spread on TikTok
The role influencers play in amplifying both facts and falsehoods
AI-manipulated content becoming more common
Misinformation targeting first-time voters

We partnered with Media Challenge Initiative to launch Fact Lens, a a bi-weekly fact-checking bulletin dedicated to unpacking trending falsehoods, examining how misinformation spreads, and sharing practical tools and methods you can verify information yourself. Click below to watch how misinformation is debunked during this heated election season in Uganda.

Tumwine Edward

Edward Tumwine is a Digital Communications Consultant, Lecturer, and Media Viability Expert with over nine years of experience in media relations, content strategy, and digital communications. He has advised organizations and journalists on media sustainability, new media skills, and leveraging digital tools for impact. Edward currently serves as the Communications Officer at Debunk Media Initiative, where he leads strategic communications to combat misinformation. He also lectures in Multimedia Production at Uganda Christian University’s School of Journalism and Communication.