State-imposed internet disruptions
In the digital era, connectivity is no longer optional but a necessity ; it is the backbone of economic growth, civic participation, and the protection of fundamental rights. Yet, governments have increasingly turned to internet shutdowns as a blunt instrument of control. Whether through total blackouts or targeted restrictions, these measures are used to silence dissent, obscure state actions, and evade accountability.
On January 13, 2026, just two days before Ugandans head to the polls, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered a temporary suspension of public internet access starting at 6:00 PM local time. The directive affects mobile broadband, fibre optic, leased lines, fixed wireless, microwave links, and even satellite services, prompting providers such as Starlink to restrict access. UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo defended the move as necessary to curb misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement of violence, citing recommendations from the Inter-Agency Security Committee.
The internet dip can be confirmed through the following monitoring metrics radar.cloudflare.com, ,IODA (Internet Outage Detection and Analysis) in Uganda.
Yet this justification rings hollow when placed against Uganda’s history. Similar nationwide shutdowns occurred during the 2021 elections, lasting four to five days and costing the economy millions. Those blackouts were widely condemned as tools to hinder opposition coordination, block real-time result verification, and suppress citizen mobilization. The 2026 temporary shutdown directive follows the same pattern, raising fears that the government is once again using connectivity as a weapon to control narratives and shield itself from accountability.
From Denial to Shutdowns
What makes this shutdown particularly controversial is the contradiction in government messaging. Earlier in January 2026, both UCC and the Ministry of ICT dismissed reports of a planned blackout as “false and misleading.” The sudden reversal has fueled accusations of premeditated control ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s bid to extend his decades-long rule. Opposition figures, including Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), have condemned the suspension as an attempt to suppress voters, rig the process, and block accountability. International groups such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Access Now have also raised alarms, warning that the shutdown threatens freedom of expression and democratic participation..
Cost of Internet Shutdowns
The consequences of such shutdowns are profound. Small enterprises that rely on mobile money, online marketplaces, and digital communication lose critical revenue streams. Journalists are blocked from reporting abuses or verifying election results in real time, leaving citizens vulnerable to misinformation and state propaganda. Protesters and activists, who depend on digital tools to organize and mobilize, are left exposed and defenseless. Beyond Uganda’s borders, the suspension of outbound roaming services disrupts communication across East Africa, affecting trade, collaboration, and regional solidarity. What may appear as a domestic measure quickly ripples outward, destabilizing economic and social ties across the region.
Exemptions that Pose Contradictions
The directive does acknowledge the importance of the internet by carving out strictly limited exemptions for critical infrastructure. National hospitals, core banking systems, Uganda Revenue Authority platforms, Electoral Commission portals, utilities, and aviation or rail controls are permitted continued access through secure, whitelisted mechanisms. But these exemptions highlight the contradiction: while the government recognizes that connectivity is essential for critical services, it denies the same access to ordinary citizens, journalists, and civil society. This selective approach underscores the political nature of shutdowns; they are not about protecting society at large but about safeguarding power and control.
Telecom companies must respect human rights
Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, telecommunications companies and businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights, prevent or mitigate potential harms, and provide remedy for any harms they cause or contribute to.
Telecommunications companies and internet service providers (ISPs) operating in Uganda including MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda ,Uganda Telecom, Fibergrid-Uganda must commit to providing high-quality, open, and secure access to the internet and digital communication tools throughout the upcoming elections and beyond. Internet shutdowns whether in Uganda or other countries violate human rights and can never be justified. We encourage Ugandans enterprises to integrate the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines for responding to censorship and network disruption requests in all markets where they operate.
The Democratic Risks of Silencing Digital Spaces
The democratic risks are clear. Elections thrive on transparency, accountability, and open communication. When governments shut down the internet, they effectively silence the digital public space. Citizens cannot share information, monitor irregularities, or hold leaders accountable. Opposition parties lose their ability to mobilize supporters, while ruling regime gain a monopoly over narratives. In Uganda, where President Museveni seeks to extend his decades-long rule, the shutdown raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Without digital oversight, the potential for manipulation and abuse grows exponentially.
Way Forward
The way forward requires both national and international action. Civil society in Uganda must continue to demand accountability and resist attempts to normalize shutdowns as routine electoral practice. Regional organizations and neighboring countries should condemn such measures, recognizing that they threaten not only Ugandan democracy but also regional stability. International watchdogs and human rights groups must hold governments accountable for weaponizing connectivity, ensuring that shutdowns are documented, challenged, and exposed on the global stage.
Ahead of, during, and beyond the upcoming elections, it is essential that authorities publicly assure the people of Uganda that the internet including social media and other digital communication platforms will remain open, accessible, and secure across the country. The Uganda Communications Commission should order service providers to guarantee high‑quality, secure, and unrestricted internet access, while also directing them to keep citizens informed of any potential disruptions. Operators must take all reasonable steps to resolve issues quickly and transparently, ensuring that connectivity is not manipulated for political ends. By adopting these measures, Uganda can demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles and restore public confidence in both governance and the electoral process.
In response to these developments, the Tatua Digital Resilience Centre is offering support to Social Justice Organizations (SJOs), human rights defenders, and activists affected by this internet shutdown incident. We are providing free guidance to install other censorship circumvention tools to bypass these restrictions.
For help with configuring the circumvention tools and cyber emergency response please contact Tatua through:
– X: @TatuaDigital
– Phone / SMS / WhatsApp / Signal: +254 110 730 730
The Tatua website also contains information on different tools and security configurations for digital security and to bypass censorship.
Email: Support@tatua.digital
Mailing list: https://tatua.digital/mailman/listinfo
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