By Mariah Nanah
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Uganda and South Sudan has announced that they will virtually host the sixth edition of the Uganda Social Media Conference under the theme “Digital democracy in a Post Pandemic World” from 25th to 26th, August 2021 at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The Conference organized annually by KAS Uganda aims at achieving togetherness among stakeholders from the government, civil society, academia, researchers, policy-makers, and the media for a remarkable exchange on the impact of social media on the country and society.
With the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda, social media has become one of the major communication tools facilitating conversations about government policies, current affairs, interpersonal communication among others.
Some of these platforms were used for conducting campaigns in the general elections since they happened at a time when social gatherings were prohibited.
The conference aims to discuss; social media & elections in Africa, citizen journalism vs digital newsrooms, digital diplomacy, Impact of social media on mental health, not forgetting digital threats like trafficking, digital privacy, data protection and adjusting the agenda on social media.
Internet shutdowns by governments will also be a topic to be covered with extra focus on the recent events during Uganda’s general elections in January 2021 and internet restrictions in Tanzania during the general elections.
Delegates will have to sign up to attend or follow up the live broadcast on KAS Uganda’s social media platforms and television channels.