Ahead of Thursday’s polls, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed all mobile network operators and internet service providers to suspend public internet access starting on January 13, two days before voting, citing the need to combat misinformation, curb alleged electoral fraud, and protect public safety. The shutdown has blocked social media platforms, messaging apps, email services, and web browsing for the majority of the population, while limited connectivity is maintained only for critical services such as hospitals, banking systems, utilities, and electoral commission networks.
The blackout has compounded long-standing election tensions as incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, Africa’s third-longest-serving leader, seeks to extend his more than 40-year rule against opposition challenger Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine. The campaign has been marked by violence, arrests of opposition activists, and aggressive restrictions on civil society organizations, including recent orders for several NGOs to halt operations days before the election.
Voting stations opened amid reports of delays, logistical challenges, and intense security presence, particularly in urban centers where opposition support is strong. Some polling locations in Kampala and other regions reported late starts due to malfunctioning equipment or delayed delivery of materials, intensifying frustrations among voters.
Rights groups and international observers have strongly criticised the internet shutdown and the broader crackdown. Human Rights Watch called the blackout a violation of constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards, urging authorities to restore full connectivity immediately. The United Nations also described the shutdown as “deeply worrying,” highlighting that unfettered access to information is essential for free and fair elections.
Amnesty International similarly condemned the shutdown as a disproportionate restriction on fundamental freedoms that disrupts mobility, access to information, and democratic participation at a critical moment.
Opposition figures have decried what they describe as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and hinder communication among voters and election monitors. Wine’s camp and civic activists argue that the blackout obscures real-time reporting of irregularities and undermines electoral credibility.
Despite official assurances that the measures are necessary to maintain order, the internet shutdown — combined with reported intimidation of opposition supporters — has cast a shadow over the electoral process. With results expected within the next 48 hours, observers and rights advocates will be closely watching how authorities manage post-election communication, public trust, and the preservation of democratic norms in Uganda.
