Uganda’s TikTok Clean Up Goes Global
By Timothy Code
Uganda has spun into TikTok’s headlines, not for a dance craze but for a staggering 1.5 million clips wiped out between April and June 2025. That figure places the country among the world’s top sources of deleted uploads.
The purge was not driven by politics or protest but by explicit displays and wild party antics. Over 60 percent of the removed posts involved nudity, sexual acts, or open indulgence in alcohol, drugs, and weapons. Many users, it seems, pushed “For You” a little too far.
Interestingly, only about 17 percent of Ugandans are active on the app. However, English-speaking influencers amplify visibility, drawing stricter scrutiny from TikTok’s content filters, which tend to be tougher on English material.
Still, critics argue that some creative or critical pieces might have been unjustly swept away. Advocates caution that automated moderation often struggles to separate satire from offense, sparking concerns about hidden suppression.
For now, Uganda is trending not for rhythm but restraint. The takeaway is that in the algorithm’s gaze, being viral walks a thin line where a single misstep can turn fame into fallout.
