At exactly 18:00 on 13 January 2026, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) imposed a nationwide internet blackout, just two days before the general elections scheduled for Thursday, 15 January 2026. The decision came shortly after authorities denied earlier reports that they intended to restrict internet access during the election period.
The move to blackout the internet increased concerns about political repression ahead of the general election, where 81-year-old President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, faced opposition from pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine.
Government Justification and Scope of the Blackout
While explaining the reason for the shutdown, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) noted that the directive followed a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, which cited the need to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, and electoral fraud. The regulator also added that the measure intended to prevent content that could incite violence or affect public confidence during the elections.
“The suspension is effective 13th January 2026, at 1800hrs and will remain in force until a restoration notice is issued by UCC. During this period, all non-essential public internet traffic must be blocked. Public internet traffic includes but not limited to social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, personal email service, and messaging applications among others,” the commission stated.
The public internet traffic affected included social media platforms, personal email services, web browsing, video streaming, and messaging applications. The suspension also affected multiple forms of connectivity, including Mobile Broadband (Cellular), Fibre Optic networks, Leased Lines, Fixed Wireless Access, Microwave Radio Links, and Satellite Internet Services, effectively restricting access across both urban and rural communication systems.
However, a list of exclusions had been established to ensure the continuity of critical national functions. The exemptions according to UCC allowed limited access to essential services such as healthcare systems at national referral hospitals, financial services, and key government administrative operations, including immigration services, the Electoral Commission, voter verification, and vote tabulation networks.
The access to the systems was restricted to authorised personnel only and was implemented through secure mechanisms such as dedicated IP ranges, virtual private networks (VPNs), or private circuits.
Authorities also moved to restrict the use of Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, which provides high-speed internet connectivity through low-orbit satellites. Unlike traditional providers that rely on ground infrastructure such as fibre cables and mobile networks, Starlink is designed to deliver internet access even in remote or poorly connected areas.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) cited licensing requirements as the basis for limiting its operation, effectively reducing the availability of alternative internet access at a time of heightened political sensitivity. The decision came amid growing concerns about potential internet restrictions during the electoral period, reinforcing tighter control over digital communication in the country.
Impact on Media, Human Rights, and Public Life
Journalists faced significant restrictions on their ability to report in real time during the period as access to online platforms and communication tools was widely disrupted. The blackout limited the flow of information from polling stations, making it difficult for media professionals to verify and share developments as they unfolded.
As a result, news gathering became slower and more dependent on physical movement and limited phone communication, which further delayed the publication of timely updates. This created information gaps during a highly sensitive electoral period, where real-time reporting is crucial for transparency and public awareness.
Reacting to the commission’s decision, opposition leaders raised concerns, noting that the move was deliberate and aimed at concealing voter fraud, and silencing voters who sought to express their views against the leadership during a highly sensitive electoral period.
On his part, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa Regional Director, condemned the indefinite internet shutdown as a serious violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and access to information. He described the measure as a direct attack on open communication and highlighted that it undermines core human rights principles that allow people to participate freely in civic and democratic life.
He further stressed that the move was especially alarming, questioning why it came just before a crucial election period already marked by widespread repression and an unprecedented crackdown on opposition parties, journalists, activists, and other dissenting voices.
Chagutah also went on to highlight that blanket internet shutdowns have wide-ranging human rights impacts beyond political expression, affecting people’s livelihoods, mobility, and access to essential services and information.
He emphasised that such measures were inherently disproportionate under international human rights laws and violate established human rights standards, insisting that they must never be imposed because they fail the requirements of necessity and proportionality in a democratic society.
“This indefinite internet shutdown is a brazen attack on the right to freedom of expression which includes access to information. It is especially alarming coming as it does just before a crucial election already marred by massive repression and an unprecedented crackdown on opposition parties and dissenting voices.
“Blanket shutdowns disrupt people’s mobility, livelihoods and their ability to access vital information. They are inherently disproportionate under international human rights law and must never be imposed.”
Public Efforts to Maintain Online Access
Notably, during this period, reports from digital rights organisations and independent monitoring groups indicated that some users attempted to bypass the internet shutdown using tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and alternative communication applications.
These tools are commonly used to reroute internet traffic through external servers, allowing users to access blocked platforms and maintain some level of online communication. For many citizens, especially journalists, activists, and politically engaged individuals, these methods became one of the few available options to try and stay connected during the blackout.
However, the effectiveness of these workarounds remained limited. Connectivity across the country was significantly disrupted, and the shutdown affected multiple layers of internet infrastructure. Users reported slow speeds, unstable connections, and in many cases, a complete inability to maintain access even when using VPN services. As restrictions intensified across major networks, the gap between attempted access and actual connectivity became more pronounced.
The limitations of these efforts highlighted the extent of the blackout’s impact, making it clear how difficult it was for ordinary users to maintain communication in the absence of open internet access. It also highlighted the broader implications of such restrictions, particularly in a politically sensitive period where access to timely and reliable information plays a critical role in public participation and awareness.
Economic Impact of the Shutdown
Days after the blackout, businesses and financial services were still struggling to recover from the disruption. Data from the Cost of Internet Shutdown Tool (COST) estimates that the country lost approximately UGX 59.7 billion (about $16 million) during the nearly five-day shutdown, highlighting the scale of financial damage caused by the disruption.
The shutdown affected key sectors of the digital economy, including mobile money services, e-commerce platforms, ride-hailing applications, and delivery services, all of which rely heavily on internet connectivity to function effectively. As a result, businesses struggled to process transactions, communicate with customers, and coordinate logistics, leading to delays, reduced sales, and operational challenges.
The impact was particularly severe in the informal sector, where many small traders and vendors depend on mobile transactions and online communication for their daily income. Financial services were also disrupted, as online banking systems and digital payment platforms slowed down, affecting both individuals and businesses.
In addition, the shutdown raised concerns among investors about the reliability of Uganda’s digital infrastructure, potentially affecting confidence in the country’s growing technology sector. The effects extended beyond national borders, as regional trade and cross-border digital transactions were interrupted, further compounding the economic strain.
Overall, the shutdown not only caused immediate financial losses across key sectors, but also exposed deeper governance concerns regarding the broader impact of such measures on economic stability, investor confidence, and public trust in state institutions, particularly during a critical period where transparency and reliability are essential.
Museveni Secures Seventh Term in Office
On 18 January 2026, five days after the blackout, President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the 2026 general election, extending his rule to a seventh term in office. Museveni secured about 71.65% of the vote according to the Electoral Commission while his main challenger, Bobi Wine, received approximately 24.72%.
Although several other candidates contested the election, including Patrick Amuriat Oboi, Mugisha Muntu, and Norbert Mao, they received only a small share of the vote, with the race largely dominated by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Bobi Wine.
The announcement confirmed Museveni’s continued leadership of Uganda, a position he has held since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state.
The election took place in a highly charged political environment marked by tensions between the ruling government and opposition groups. Throughout the campaign period, opposition leaders alleged widespread intimidation, restrictions on political activity, and limited access to media platforms.
These concerns were further intensified by the nationwide internet shutdown imposed shortly before the vote, which critics argued affected transparency and restricted real-time information sharing during the electoral process.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine rejected the results, citing electoral irregularities and political repression. He argued that the election was not conducted on a level playing field and pointed to limitations on political activity and disruptions in information flow during the voting period. In the aftermath of the announcement, he stated that he had left the country, expressing concerns about his safety and the increasingly hostile political environment following the election.
The government, however, maintained that the election was conducted in line with national laws and emphasised that security measures, including the temporary internet restrictions, were necessary to prevent misinformation and potential violence.
The 81-year-old has served as the President of Uganda since January 1986 following a five-year guerrilla war that ended years of political instability in the country. In the early years of his leadership, he was widely praised for restoring order, promoting economic recovery, and implementing policies that contributed to improved public health outcomes, including significant progress in reducing HIV/AIDS infection rates.
Over time, the current president has increasingly attracted criticism, with concerns over the concentration of political power and the gradual weakening of democratic institutions. Constitutional amendments under his administration removed both presidential term limits and later age limits, allowing him to extend his rule beyond earlier restrictions.
Even after multiple elections, his tenure has remained widely debated, with critics pointing to allegations of human rights concerns and limitations on political freedoms, while on the other hand supporters argue that his leadership has ensured stability and development in Uganda. His long political career therefore remains a defining and contested feature of Uganda’s modern political history.
In the aftermath of the 2026 general election, questions about the credibility of the process have continued to circulate, with reports and alleged footage of electoral irregularities shared widely on social media. These discussions have fuelled ongoing debate over the legitimacy of the outcome, particularly in relation to concerns raised during the campaign period, including restrictions on communication and the broader political environment surrounding the vote.
Despite the controversy, preparations are underway for President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration scheduled for 12 May 2026, marking the continuation of his long rule. The planned swearing-in ceremony is expected to formally extend his leadership, reinforcing a political tenure that has shaped Uganda’s governance for nearly four decades. His continued presidency reflects both the strength of the ruling establishment and the enduring influence he maintains within the country’s political system.
The period following the election remains politically sensitive, with divided public opinion reflecting both support for continuity and growing concerns over democratic space and transparency in Uganda’s electoral process.
While some citizens and supporters view the outcome as a guarantee of stability and sustained development, others continue to question the credibility of the election, pointing to restrictions on communication, opposition activity, and access to information during the voting period.
As the country moves toward the inauguration, attention remains focused on how these tensions will evolve, particularly in relation to governance, public trust, and political inclusiveness. The aftermath of the election has therefore not only shaped immediate political reactions but also raised broader questions about the future of democratic participation and accountability in Uganda.
