Keypoints:
- Authorities insist there is no plan to cut internet access during polling
- Starlink service restrictions have heightened opposition concerns
- Memories of the 2021 internet blackout continue to shape voter anxiety
UGANDAN authorities have moved to quell growing fears of an internet shutdown ahead of next week’s presidential election, denying claims that access to online services will be cut during polling.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said reports suggesting a planned nationwide blackout were unfounded, stressing that there had been no decision to disrupt connectivity before or during the January 15 vote. The election will see President Yoweri Museveni seek to extend his four-decade rule with a seventh term in office.
‘As of now, there is no resolution to switch off the internet,’ UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo told Kampala-based Capital FM, adding that the regulator’s role was to guarantee uninterrupted communication across the country.
Starlink move sparks suspicion
Despite the official assurances, opposition concerns have intensified following the restriction of services by Starlink on Friday. The satellite internet firm limited access in Uganda after receiving an order from the communications regulator, a move authorities described as routine but which critics say has deepened public mistrust.
Opposition figures argue that even targeted restrictions risk undermining transparency at a time when digital platforms play a central role in political mobilisation and the sharing of election results.
The main opposition challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has repeatedly warned that the government intends to block internet access to weaken his support base and prevent independent verification of results.
Echoes of the 2021 vote
The fears are shaped by Uganda’s recent electoral history. During the 2021 presidential election, authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout that lasted four days, coinciding with protests and a heavy security response in which dozens of people were killed, according to human rights groups.
That election left a lasting mark on public confidence, particularly among younger voters who rely heavily on social media and messaging platforms for political engagement.
Media restrictions before polling
Adding to the tension, the government has banned live broadcasts of riots, ‘unlawful processions’ and other violent incidents in the run-up to polling day. Officials say the restrictions are intended to prevent the escalation of tensions and the spread of panic.
Media freedom advocates and opposition parties have criticised the move, warning that it limits real-time reporting and reduces accountability during a critical democratic process.
Opposition turns to offline tools
In response to the uncertainty, Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP) has launched an offline vote-monitoring application designed to function without internet access. The app, known as Bitchart, uses Bluetooth technology to allow users to share images of official results forms from polling stations and exchange voting data locally.
Unveiling the tool this week, Kyagulanyi said it was a necessary safeguard given Uganda’s electoral track record. ‘The regime is plotting an internet shutdown, as they have done in past elections, to block communication and prevent citizens from organising, verifying results, and demanding accountability,’ he said in his New Year’s address.
Long rule under scrutiny
Museveni first came to power in 1986 after his rebel forces captured Kampala. He has since won six elections, all disputed by opposition candidates who accuse his government of fraud, intimidation and the misuse of state resources. The authorities have consistently denied those allegations.
As Uganda approaches polling day, the question of digital access has emerged as a central test of the election’s credibility. While officials insist the internet will remain online, past experience and recent restrictions have left many voters wary of what election day may bring.
