Uganda has ordered a nationwide internet shutdown just days before one of the most important elections in its recent history. The move comes as President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for nearly 40 years, seeks another term in office.
The Uganda Communications Commission issued a formal notice to internet service providers, saying the suspension is necessary to prevent the spread of online misinformation, disinformation, and electoral fraud. The agency also cited concerns about possible incitement to violence that could undermine public confidence and national security during the election period.
The blackout will affect public internet access, social media platforms, web browsing, streaming services, email, and messaging apps. Essential government services will remain online, but ordinary citizens and businesses will face significant digital disruption until a restoration notice is issued.
The government has not made any public statements about the shutdown. Officials confirmed the move to news agencies but said they did not want to publicly take ownership of the decision.
Uganda has a history of internet shutdowns during elections. In 2021, digital access was restricted amid accusations of vote rigging, mass arrests of opposition supporters, and heavy state repression. Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician who challenged Museveni in 2021, is running again this year, heightening tensions.
The timing of the shutdown has raised concerns. Government officials had previously denied plans to restrict the internet, calling rumors of a blackout false and fear-inducing. Yet the directive came less than 48 hours before citizens are expected to vote.
Human rights groups and political observers have condemned the decision. They warn that cutting off the internet risks undermining public trust in the election and limiting citizens’ ability to communicate, monitor the vote, and engage in political discussion.
As the country heads to the polls under these restrictions, the internet shutdown has become one of the most contentious and widely discussed aspects of an election already marked by uncertainty and tension.
