Uganda’s communications regulator ordered a temporary shutdown of public internet access and a freeze on SIM card sales and registration on Tuesday, just two days before the country’s high‑stakes general election, in what authorities described as a security measure to curb online misinformation and unrest.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed all licensed mobile network operators and internet service providers to suspend public internet connectivity from 6:00 pm local time on Jan. 13 until further notice, citing concerns over the rapid spread of election‑related falsehoods and the risk of violence as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his four‑decade rule in polls scheduled for Jan. 15.
In a letter seen by local media, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the suspension, based on a recommendation from the Inter‑Agency Security Committee, also covers new SIM card sales and the registration of SIMs, as well as outbound data roaming to countries in the East African One Network Area.
The order affects mobile broadband, fixed fibre, leased lines, wireless access and satellite internet, with authorities specifying that only a narrow list of critical services, such as those needed for network maintenance and essential infrastructure, will remain operational.
“This measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period,” Thembo said.
Uganda has a history of restricting digital communications during elections. In the run‑up to the 2021 polls, authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout that lasted about 100 hours, disrupting services and inflicting significant economic costs. Analysts estimated losses of hundreds of billions of Ugandan shillings, placing the outage among the costliest globally.
The announcement sparked immediate unrest and confusion online. Rights groups and opposition figures condemned the move as a threat to transparency and democratic participation, warning that cutting internet access could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and limit the ability of voters to access information.
International rights coalitions have also voiced concern in recent days, urging President Museveni’s government to ensure unrestricted internet access throughout the elections so citizens can exercise free expression and monitor the vote without interference. They argue that open connectivity is essential to fair elections and civic engagement.
However, the government’s position has been inconsistent in recent weeks. In early January, officials, including the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, publicly denied plans to shut down the internet, calling such reports false and misleading and stressing the importance of digital platforms for election information. Authorities emphasised ongoing efforts to work with media stakeholders to promote responsible coverage and counter misinformation.
Before Tuesday’s order, communications watchdogs and political commentators had highlighted what they described as an atmosphere of tension and censorship, including restrictions on satellite internet provider Starlink, which was forced to restrict access on regulatory grounds, a move critics said risked leaving some Ugandans offline ahead of voting day.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, accused the government of attempting to silence dissent and manipulate the flow of information on the eve of the election, echoing fears that digital blackouts would favour the ruling party and hamper observers.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has defended the measures as necessary to protect national security and prevent unrest, pointing to past episodes where social media and messaging apps were used to inflame tensions.
The internet suspension adds to a broader climate of political pressure in the final days of the campaign. Just hours earlier, the government ordered two prominent rights organisations to halt operations, further heightening concern among civil society over the narrowing space for political and civic activity.
As millions prepare to vote amid tight security and heightened controls on information flows, the shutdown is likely to test both the resilience of Uganda’s civil society and the international community’s scrutiny of elections in a country long governed by Museveni.
