Uganda has imposed a nationwide internet shutdown as the country prepares for its general elections on Thursday 15 January 2026, in a move that has sparked controversy, raised concerns about democratic freedoms and drawn international attention.
As of the evening of 13 January 2026, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed internet service providers and mobile network operators to suspend public internet access and selected mobile services, citing national security and the need to prevent the spread of online misinformation, disinformation and electoral fraud. The directive, which took effect at 6pm local time, is to remain in place until the UCC issues a restoration notice.
Under the shutdown, social media platforms, personal email, web browsing, video streaming and messaging services are blocked across mobile broadband, fibre connections, leased lines and satellite internet services. The UCC has partly exempted a narrow set of essential services including critical healthcare systems, core banking, government services and electoral commission systems for authorised personnel only, but general public access remains cut off.
The regulator stated the shutdown followed a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, which argued that restricting internet traffic was necessary to protect public order and the integrity of the electoral process.
The government and regulatory bodies have offered mixed messaging on the issue in recent weeks. Prior to the directive, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the UCC publicly denied plans to shut down the internet, calling widespread reports misleading and urging the public not to spread panic over unverified claims.
Civil society organisations, opposition figures and digital rights advocates have condemned the shutdown as an infringement on freedom of expression, access to information and transparent election monitoring. Global activism networks such as the KeepItOn coalition urged President Yoweri Museveni to guarantee unrestricted internet access throughout the election period.
The opposition’s concerns have also been amplified by the temporary restriction of Starlink satellite internet services in Uganda, prompting presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, to appeal to international technology providers for support in maintaining connectivity.
Reports from journalists and rights groups point to broader pressures on media and civil liberties in the run-up to the polls, including attacks on journalists and the suspension of operations by key rights organisations.
Uganda’s internet has been shut down before during elections. In 2021 a nationwide blackout coincided with a vote marked by violence and allegations of fraud, leading to concerns that history is repeating itself at a critical moment for the country’s democracy.
Observers say the outage not only affects political engagement and citizen reporting, but also business operations, mobile money transactions and daily life for millions of Ugandans who rely on digital services. As the election draws near, the impact of curtailing internet access continues to reverberate across society.
