Uganda Government Dismisses Claims of Internet Shutdown Ahead of Elections

Updated by HICGI News Agency at 1053 EAT on Tuesday 6 January 2026

Ugandan authorities have denied reports that they plan to shut down internet access during next week’s general election.

The country’s main opposition candidate last week renewed claims that the government intended to block the internet to prevent his supporters from mobilising and sharing election results.

Concerns were heightened on Friday after satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda, following an order from the national communications regulator.

President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his four-decade rule in elections scheduled for 15 January. His main challenger is Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician.

The vote mirrors the 2021 election, which was marred by widespread protests that left dozens dead, while internet access was suspended nationwide for four days.

The government has banned live broadcasts of riots, “unlawful processions” and other violent incidents ahead of next week’s elections, saying such coverage could escalate tensions and spread panic.
Reports of a possible internet blackout, however, are “mere rumours,” the head of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said. “As of now, there is no resolution to switch off the internet,” UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo told Capital FM.

Amina Zawedde, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications and National Guidance, echoed the assurances. “The government has not announced, directed or implemented any decision to shut down the internet during the election period,” she said, calling the reports false and misleading.

She also warned against spreading false or inflammatory content online. “Digital platforms are not exempt from the law,” Zawedde said, adding that the Computer Misuse Act covers the dissemination of false information and offensive communication.

Zawedde stressed that only the Electoral Commission can declare election results, and broadcasting unverified or premature results is illegal. “Freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within the framework of the law,” she added.

Despite government assurances that the internet will remain online during next week’s elections, the main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has unveiled an offline vote-monitoring app in case of a blackout.

The app, called Bitchart, was introduced by NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. It uses Bluetooth technology to share images of results forms and voting data from polling stations without the need for an internet connection.

“As we all know, the regime is plotting an internet shutdown, as they have done in past elections, to block communication and prevent citizens from organising, verifying results, and demanding accountability,” Bobi Wine said in his New Year’s address.

Amid rising political tensions, Amnesty International has accused Ugandan security forces of using torture and arbitrary arrests to intimidate opposition supporters. The group says it has evidence of beatings and tear gas attacks targeting backers of the NUP. The BBC has sought a response from the authorities.

President Yoweri Museveni first came to power in 1986 when his rebel forces marched into the capital, Kampala. He has since been elected six times, amid opposition allegations of fraud and intimidation, which the government denies.

BBC

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