Two days before Uganda’s general election, the country plunged into near silence online. Effective Tuesday evening, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered mobile operators and internet providers to suspend public internet access, halt the sale of new SIM cards, and block outbound roaming services to neighboring countries.
The move, officials said, is aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and preventing potential unrest during the vote. It affects millions of Ugandans who rely on mobile data for news, communication, and daily business. In practice, social media platforms, video streaming, messaging apps, and online browsing have been severely restricted.
“While the intention is to safeguard peace, the sudden blackout disrupts ordinary lives and makes it harder for citizens to share information or monitor the election,” said a digital rights advocate in Kampala, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Uganda has a history of imposing internet restrictions during elections. In 2021, a similar shutdown lasted several days, sparking criticism from human rights groups and international observers who warned that such measures can undermine transparency and accountability.
President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, is seeking another term amid rising tensions with the opposition, including popular musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine. The country has seen increased political mobilization and sporadic clashes in recent weeks, raising fears of violence on election day.
The UCC said the suspension will remain in effect until it issues a formal notice restoring services. Some exemptions exist for critical national infrastructure, though details remain vague. For many Ugandans, the blackout has meant sudden isolation from the online world, reinforcing the stakes of Thursday’s vote in a country where social media has become a key political battlefield.
