Kampala, Uganda — November 7, 2025
Ugandan content has been ranked among the most harmful on TikTok, according to the platform’s latest global transparency report. The report shows Uganda among the top 30 countries whose videos were most frequently removed for violating community guidelines — a development that has sparked debate about online behavior and content regulation in the country.
TikTok’s latest global transparency report has placed Uganda among the countries with the highest volume of “harmful” or policy-violating content, underscoring growing concerns about online behavior and digital ethics in the country.
According to the report, TikTok deleted over 1.5 million Ugandan videos between April and June 2025 for breaching its community guidelines. The removals ranged from sexually explicit content and hate speech to misinformation and dangerous activities. The figure represents a 400% increase from the same period in 2024, pushing Uganda to 29th globally and first in East Africa for harmful content volume.
“We are committed to keeping TikTok a safe, creative space for everyone,” said Marisa Chen, TikTok’s Global Head of Safety Operations, in the report. “Our automated systems continue to detect and remove violative content before it reaches the wider community.”
The data shows that 99% of Ugandan videos taken down were removed proactively by TikTok’s algorithms before users reported them.
Creators Cry Foul
Many Ugandan influencers have expressed frustration over the growing number of takedowns, claiming that TikTok’s moderation system often fails to distinguish between genuine violations and creative expression.
“It’s discouraging when our comedy skits or dance trends get flagged for ‘nudity’ or ‘inappropriate content,’” said Sarah Komugisha, a Kampala-based TikTok creator with over 300,000 followers. “We feel like Ugandan content is being unfairly targeted.”
Some digital rights activists share this concern, warning that TikTok’s algorithms could inadvertently suppress local culture and satire.
“Cultural expression should not be mistaken for obscenity,” argued James Ateenyi, a digital policy analyst at the Center for Internet Studies. “Global platforms must adapt their moderation frameworks to local contexts rather than apply one-size-fits-all standards.”
Uganda’s Digital Surge
Uganda’s TikTok community has grown exponentially, now estimated at 8.8 million users, or roughly 17% of the population, according to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). With this growth comes both opportunity and risk.
“The sheer number of users means more creativity — but also more responsibility,” said Dr. Evelyn Nabwire, a social media researcher at Makerere University. “Digital literacy has to keep pace with digital growth.”
The Road Ahead
TikTok says it will continue working with African governments and civil society organizations to promote safer online spaces. Local experts, meanwhile, are urging Ugandan content creators to better understand the platform’s community standards.
“We can’t simply blame algorithms,” noted Dr. Nabwire. “Creators need to learn the rules of the game if they want to play on a global stage.”
As Uganda cements its place among the continent’s most active social media communities, the challenge will be balancing freedom of expression with accountability — ensuring that creativity thrives without crossing ethical or legal boundaries.
Summary
- 1.5 million Ugandan TikTok videos removed in Q2 2025.
- Uganda ranks 29th globally and 1st in East Africa for harmful content removals.
- 99% of videos were removed automatically before user reports.
- Calls grow for fairer moderation and stronger creator education.
