from HASSAN ONYANGO in Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Bureau
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) – A temporary shutdown of public internet access and selected mobile services in Uganda raises doubts regarding the fairness of the upcoming general elections.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Tuesday ordered the shutdown, effective 18h00 local time, on the same day. This will be until further notice.
Polls are scheduled for Thursday.
Only last week, UCC dispelled reports that it planned a shutdown.
However, it issued an order to all mobile network operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to suspend the abovementioned services.
They must suspend internet access, sale and registration of new subscriber identity module (SIM) cards and outbound data roaming services to One Network Area (ONA) countries.
ONA is an East African Community (EAC) initiative to create seamless, affordable mobile communication (voice, SMS, data) across member states by eliminating high roaming charges.
UCC on Tuesday said the shutdown was necessitated by “strong recommendation” from the Inter-Agency Security Committee.
“This measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks as well as preventing of incitement of violence that could prevent public confidence and national security during the election period,” it stated.
Similar closures were carried out in elections the East African nation held 2016 and 2021.
Main opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (popularly known as Bobi Wine), denounced the internet shutdown and criticized the government of incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, as a “criminal regime.”
Museveni (81) has been power since 1986.
NetBlocks reported late Tuesday live network data showed a nation-scale disruption to internet connectivity in Uganda.
KICTANet, a multi-stakeholder thinktank for ICT policy and regulation, stated, “Imposing a blackout under the guise of national security not only stifles civic participation and electoral transparency but also disrupts essential services and livelihoods.”
It reports that from 2016 through 2024, there were 193 internet shutdowns imposed across 41 African countries.
In 2025, countries including Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania and Togo restricted internet access, primarily during periods of elections, unrest or protests.
– CAJ News