Keypoints:
- Uganda orders nationwide internet shutdown before polls
- Authorities cite misinformation and national security risks
- Decision reverses earlier government assurances
UGANDA has ordered a nationwide internet shutdown to take effect just days before the country goes to the polls, reversing earlier government assurances and reigniting concerns over digital rights, transparency, and electoral credibility.
The directive was issued on Tuesday by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), instructing internet service providers to suspend access from 6:00 pm local time. The blackout will remain in force until further notice, according to the regulator.
The shutdown comes two days before presidential and parliamentary elections in which long-serving President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his nearly four-decade rule.
In a letter sent to telecom operators and verified by government officials, the UCC said the move was aimed at limiting the spread of harmful online content during the sensitive election period.
‘This measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing of incitement to violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period,’ the commission said.
Reversal of earlier assurances
The decision marks a notable reversal of the government’s earlier public position. On January 5, Uganda’s government had dismissed reports of a planned shutdown, saying claims that internet access would be restricted were ‘false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear and tension among the public’, according to a post on its official X account.
The abrupt policy shift has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures, who argue that limiting digital access undermines freedom of expression and restricts independent election observation.
President Museveni faces a high-profile challenge from opposition politician Bobi Wine, a former musician who has built much of his political support through online mobilisation, livestreaming, and social media engagement.
Limited exemptions and uncertainty
The UCC said essential state services would be exempted from the shutdown, but did not provide details on which institutions or platforms would continue operating. The lack of clarity has raised concerns among businesses, humanitarian organisations, and ordinary citizens who rely heavily on internet-based services.
Mobile money platforms, widely used across Uganda for daily transactions and informal trade, were not specifically addressed in the directive, creating uncertainty over how the blackout may affect economic activity during the election period.
The regulator added that the suspension would remain in place ‘until a restoration notice is issued’, without indicating how long the disruption might last.
A recurring election measure
Internet restrictions during elections are not new in Uganda. Similar shutdowns were imposed during the 2016 and 2021 polls, drawing condemnation from digital rights groups and international observers. Authorities have consistently defended the measures as necessary to maintain public order, while critics argue they are designed to limit scrutiny and suppress dissent.
Rights organisations warn that internet shutdowns often fail to prevent unrest, while causing significant economic losses and restricting access to information at a critical democratic moment.
Regional digital rights debate
Uganda’s decision comes amid a broader debate across Africa about government control of digital spaces during elections. Several countries on the continent have imposed temporary internet or social media restrictions around polls in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stronger protections for online freedoms.
As voting day approaches, the internet shutdown is likely to heighten international scrutiny of the electoral process in Uganda, with observers closely watching how long the blackout lasts and what impact it has on participation, transparency, and public trust.
