In a move that’s got many Ugandans furious, a prominent human rights lawyer has fired off a formal legal complaint accusing MTN Uganda – one of the country’s biggest mobile networks – of secretly handing over customers’ phone numbers to send unsolicited pro-government text messages.
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The messages in question popped up on people’s phones around January 14, 2026 – right around the time of Uganda’s hotly contested general election, where President Yowerini Museveni was declared the winner for a seventh term. These texts appeared to push support for Museveni (often nicknamed “M7” in local slang), and many recipients say they never signed up to receive them.
What Exactly Happened?
Lawyer Michael Aboneka, together with two other advocates, sent a strongly worded letter dated February 3, 2026, directly to MTN Uganda. In it, they demand that the company explain:
- Who exactly sent those messages (they mention something called the “M7NALO platform”)?
- How did the sender get access to private phone numbers?
- Did MTN share customer data – and if so, under what agreement or contract?
- Why weren’t users asked for permission first?
The letter gives MTN just 48 hours to hand over all the details. Copies were also sent to the communications watchdog (the Uganda Communications Commission) and the office in charge of personal data protection, basically putting everyone on official notice.
This isn’t the first time Aboneka has called out telecom companies. Earlier, he publicly questioned MTN (and other providers) about similar unwanted political messages, and he’s already filed court cases over things like the internet blackout imposed just before and during the January 2026 election.
Why This Matters to Ordinary People
Imagine this: Your phone buzzes with a text praising a political candidate – a message you never asked for, sent using your personal number that you gave to MTN when you bought your SIM card or topped up airtime.
Under Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2019, companies like MTN are required to keep your personal information (such as your phone number) secure. They can’t just hand it out to anyone – especially not for political advertising – without your clear permission. Doing so can be a serious violation, and fines or even court orders can follow.
Many people feel this kind of secret data sharing gives an unfair advantage in elections. It turns your private phone into a campaign tool without your say-so.
What Are People Saying Online?
The post sharing the complaint letter quickly got a lot of attention (over 12,000 view on X in a short time). Here’s the mood from comments under the tweet:
- Several people offered to be witnesses in court if the case moves forward (“I will act as a witness if needed”, “Wano ndi witness kilabika”).
- Others expressed frustration with Uganda’s justice system (“This would’ve been a very interesting case if we had a straight judicial system”).
- Some shared similar experiences (“I almost called them to ascertain why I was receiving such messages”).
- A few added humor or sarcasm (“They will send a drone as the answer “).
- One person urged expanding the complaint to cover similar “M7JUU” groups that also sent messages.
Overall, the replies show widespread anger and support for holding telecom companies accountable – especially after a tense election period that already included internet shutdowns, blocked social media, and lots of debate about fairness.
The Bigger Picture
This complaint is part of a growing concern about how personal data gets used during elections in Uganda (and many other countries). When phone numbers are shared without consent, it can feel like Big Brother is watching – or worse, trying to influence how you vote.
Whether MTN responds with full transparency, fights back, or the regulators step in remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: more Ugandans are paying close attention to who really controls their personal information – and they’re no longer staying silent about it.
