Twitter Plays an Influential Role in the Ugandan Election
The Ugandan general elections held in early January 2021 received worldwide attention. One reason for the heightened focus is the emergence of Twitter as a powerful platform for both the Ugandan elections and politics in the African continent. On Twitter, both candidates and the electorate tweeted their views and worded their opinions about the election process. This article takes a closer look at how Twitter played an influential role in the Ugandan election.
The Influence of Twitter During the Ugandan Election
Twitter has become one of the biggest platforms for politics in the African continent, which often leads to public debate and conversation about the latest news and political events. During the Ugandan election, Twitter saw an increased activity, with both former President Yoweri Museveni and his main opposition, Bobi Wine, making frequent use of the platform.
Using Twitter to Organize Supporters
Twitter played an important part in motivating and organizing the supporters of both candidates. While the two sides had their own hashtags, #m7support and #bobiwine were two of the most popular. The hashtags were used to share news, rally people to voting centers, and coordinate effective outreach to supporters.
Organizing of Digital Media
Twitter was also used to organize digital media campaigns. Candidates and their supporters used it to share videos, photos, and podcasts in an effort to reach out to more voters. For both Museveni and Bobi Wine, this method proved to be quite effective.
Cross-Channel Promotion
Twitter was used not only to promote the candidates but also to cross-promote them on other channels. This included posting on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. By doing so, the campaigns could benefit from the built-in network effect of Twitter and reach more people.
Impact on Voter Turnout
Many observers of the Ugandan election believe that Twitter had a major impact on the voter turnout. It was seen as a way for Ugandans living abroad to be connected with the election and share their opinions about the candidates with family and friends. The platform allowed for a much more comprehensive reach and also made it easier for people to spread their views.
Positive and Negative Aspects of Twitter
Although the use of Twitter during the Ugandan election was largely positive, there were also some negative aspects. It exposed Ugandans to fake news and rumors, which could have led to confusion and misperceptions about the candidates. In addition, some people abused the platform to spread hate speech and incite violence.
Twitter played an important role during the recent Ugandan election. Its popularity and its ease of access allowed it to reach a wide range of voters and provided an effective organizing platform. Despite some of the negative implications, Twitter was largely seen as a positive platform by both the electorate and the candidates. As the African continent continues to embrace technology, the use of social media will inevitably grow during elections and the political process.
