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Ugandan govt ‘to start killing youth’? No, newspaper front page manipulated

“Govt to start killing youth countrywide,” reads the headline of what seems to be the front page of Uganda’s New Vision newspaper.

The graphic has been shared a number of times on Facebook, including on a popular Kenyan group page.

Here the caption reads: “I don't understand why the Uganda government wants to kill the youth. Hopefully our government will not follow the trend.”

It is easy for people to manipulate authentic images to drive their agendas online.

In August 2019 alone, Africa Check exposed fake versions two newspaper front pages: the UK Guardian and Kenya’s Daily Nation.

Is the New Vision front page making waves on Facebook also fake?



Clues image manipulated


There are clear signs that the graphic has been manipulated. 

A letter seems to be missing before the word “killing”. Smudges next to the K in “killing” indicate that the letter was digitally removed.

Skilling youth, not killing


A reverse image search quickly reveals that New Vision exposed the fake in a tweet on 9 September 2019.

The newspaper posted the real front page from the day, next to the fake version shared online. “Please disregard the #fake Front Page going around,” it tweeted.

The original headline reads: “Govt to start skilling youth countrywide.” – Dancan Bwire 

Further reading:

https://africacheck.org/fbcheck/image-of-julian-assange-holding-newspaper-report-of-plans-to-islamize-nigeria-was-photoshopped/

https://africacheck.org/fbcheck/hoax-alert-photos-of-joho-kutuny-on-daily-nations-front-page-photoshopped/

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