By URN
WhatsApp has emerged as Uganda’s most widely used social media platform, maintaining a firm lead in how citizens communicate, share information, and stay connected.
Users say that the app’s simplicity, low data demands, and versatile features continue to make it a preferred choice across much of the population, even as the digital landscape evolves, according to the latest findings from the Sauti za Wananchi report by Twaweza, a civil society organisation that tracks citizens’ views on social and economic issues.
The study, conducted early this year, examined the proportion of Ugandans who had used social media in the past seven days, revealing both usage trends and inequalities across demographics. The report shows that while social media is becoming increasingly central to daily communication in Uganda, access and usage remain uneven, shaped by factors such as location, education level, and income.
And although WhatsApp cuts across many of these divides, it has not closed them entirely. The report shows that WhatsApp leads with 20 per cent of Ugandans using the platform, followed by Facebook at 14 per cent and TikTok at 9 per cent.
“Among social network services, WhatsApp leads, with two out of ten citizens (20 per cent) using the service. This is followed by Facebook (14 per cent) and TikTok (9 per cent),” the report states.
Aupal Emmanuel, a WhatsApp user, told URN that he was not surprised by the platform’s dominance. He explained that WhatsApp provides instant communication unmatched by other applications. Beyond messaging, the platform allows voice and video calls as well as voice notes, a feature some users even prefer over regular phone calls.
Sadat Mukwaya, another user, noted that WhatsApp’s limited set of features actually gives it an edge over more complex platforms. Unlike other social media applications, which can overwhelm new users with multiple features, WhatsApp’s simplicity makes it accessible to a broader audience. Mukwaya added that the voice note option is particularly useful for users who prefer speaking over writing.
While WhatsApp is the most widely used platform, the report highlights that social media usage in Uganda remains highly unequal. Younger citizens, urban dwellers, especially in Greater Kampala, those with secondary education and above, and wealthier individuals are significantly more likely to use social media.
For instance, 34 per cent of urban residents reported using WhatsApp, compared to just 14 per cent of rural residents. Regionally, usage in Greater Kampala stands at 47 per cent, while Western Uganda lags at 14 per cent. Wealth disparities are also stark: 38 per cent of wealthier citizens use WhatsApp compared to only 6 per cent of poorer citizens. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) remain concentrated among a smaller, more elite segment of users.
Dr Sarah Namusoga, from Makerere University, notes that X’s complexity in the past, particularly its live media features and other technical limits, has limited its appeal to mainstream users. However, enthusiasts like Mukwaya argue that X’s focus on written communication attracts a niche audience, particularly elites who prefer reading and writing over audio-visual content.
