Kampala: AI-generated images, gendered disinformation, and harmful narratives were used to target Ugandan women politicians since gaining independence from the UK in October 1962. Ugandan women have played a critical role in shaping politics and governance throughout the country. From Joyce Mpanga, who served as Minister of Women in Development from 1988 to 1989, to Winnie Byanyima, who played a critical role in framing the 1995 Ugandan Constitution, women have shaped the political and governance landscape in Uganda, paving the way for countless young girls and women.According to Global Voices, the 1995 Constitution introduced affirmative action. Article 21 of the Ugandan Constitution reserves one-third of local government seats and parliamentary positions for women, ensuring their active participation in the country's decision-making processes.In January 2026, Uganda held its general elections, and several women ran as candidates. However, women campaigners have to worry about more than giving speeches a nd rallying voters - they also have to navigate online violence that manifested as deepfakes, AI-generated images, gendered disinformation, and harmful narratives that were weaponised to target Ugandan women politicians during this year's election.Nawaya Gloria, a human rights lawyer, Global HIV advocate, and an aspiring youth Member of Parliament (MP) for the Central region in Uganda, found herself in an online battlefield of misogynistic attacks. She tweeted about her intention to contest for the Youth MP seat, stating her personal story of living with HIV to inspire others. However, her tweet was met with harsh comments, notably from a former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, who suggested young women seek parliamentary positions for inappropriate reasons. Nawaya responded to these attacks, emphasizing her intent to create change.Joyce Bagala, another woman politician from the National Unity Platform party, faced similar online harassment. Posts circulated, insinuating she abandoned her party for personal reasons. Yvonne Mpambara, an aspiring presidential candidate, also reported being harassed online, accused of being a foreign spy and facing derogatory comments about her leadership capabilities.AI-generated deepfakes and disinformation further complicated the situation. An AI-generated image falsely claimed that Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the former speaker of the Ugandan parliament, was hospitalized, and opposition members circulated deepfakes of Anita Among, the current speaker of parliament, spreading hate speech.The widespread misogyny has amplified gender-based violence through technology in Uganda. A UN Women report stated that a significant percentage of Ugandan women have experienced violence, with many viewing it as a private matter. The lack of specific laws against tech-facilitated gender-based violence, alongside the misuse of existing laws like the Computer Misuse Act 2011, further exacerbates the situation.As Uganda looks to its political future, it is evident that women face signi ficant barriers to political participation. Tech-facilitated violence is a tactic used to silence women, highlighting the need for systemic changes to protect and empower women in Ugandan politics.
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