Museveni Orders Internet Shutdown Ahead of Elections

Uganda has been plunged into an indefinite internet shutdown just days before the country’s general election, following a directive issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordering the suspension of public internet access nationwide.

In a letter dated 13 January 2026, addressed to all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the UCC directed operators to block public internet access effective 6:00 p.m. on the same day, with no clear end date provided. The shutdown is to remain in force until a formal restoration notice is issued by the regulator.

The directive, issued on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Security Committee, effectively places Uganda offline at a critical political moment, just two days before the general election.

What Has Been Shut Down

According to the UCC order, the suspension covers:

• All public internet access
• Social media platforms
• Messaging applications
• Web browsing and email services
• Video streaming
• Sale and registration of new SIM cards
• Outbound data roaming
• VPN services, which operators have been ordered to disable

The shutdown applies across all forms of connectivity, including mobile data, fibre optic connections, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet.

Operators who are unable to enforce selective blocking have been instructed to shut down their entire internet infrastructure, with non-compliance attracting severe sanctions, including fines and possible suspension of operating licences.

Government Justification

The UCC states that the measure is intended to curb the spread of what it terms “online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks,” as well as to prevent “incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period.”

Only a strictly controlled whitelist of essential services—limited to critical national functions and network management systems—has been permitted to remain online. Access to these systems is restricted to authorized personnel using dedicated IP ranges and private circuits.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

The shutdown has sparked immediate public outrage and concern among civil society groups, journalists, digital rights advocates, and business owners, who warn that the blackout undermines electoral transparency, freedom of expression, and economic activity.

Uganda has a history of internet shutdowns during election periods, but critics say the breadth and indefinite nature of this latest suspension marks a significant escalation. By blocking social media, messaging platforms, and VPNs simultaneously, the government has effectively severed most channels for real-time communication, citizen reporting, and election monitoring.

Opposition figures and rights organizations argue that the move consolidates information control around the state at a moment when public scrutiny is most needed.

Indefinite Silence

Notably, the UCC directive does not specify an end date, stating only that services will be restored at the Commission’s discretion. This open-ended timeline has heightened fears that internet access could remain cut well beyond election day.

As Uganda heads into polling amid digital silence, the shutdown raises urgent questions about the future of civic space, democratic accountability, and the role of state power in controlling access to information.

For now, the country waits—offline.