A screenshot of what seems to be a Facebook post by Uganda’s Nile Post News has been posted on the platform, with the startling allegation that delays in paying soldiers has led them to terrorise Ugandans.
“Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu has weighed in on the ongoing armed robberies attributing to delayed salary payments for the security forces,” text on the screenshot reads.
The screenshot began to circulate as insecurity cases rose in the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
There has been tension in the city as criminals in military fatigues erected fake roadblocks and attacked passersby.
The screenshot has also been posted here, here and here.
Africa Check has in the past investigated disinformation targeting the Ugandan army.
Did Nile Post news publish this post, leaving many Ugandans alarmed?
Fake tweet
The publication through its official Twitter account posted the screenshot and dismissed it as fake.
“NOTICE: Please disregard this screenshot making rounds. We haven’t posted anything in that regard on our social media platforms or our website,” wrote Nile Post.
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
Add new comment