Uganda has ordered a nationwide internet shutdown just days before the January 15, 2026 general elections, sparking sharp criticism from opposition leaders, civil society groups and international observers.
The directive was issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which instructed telecom operators to suspend public internet access and selected mobile services starting Tuesday evening, January 13. Authorities said the move is aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation, preventing electoral fraud and averting incitement to violence during the highly contested polls.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office. His main challenger is opposition leader and former pop star Bobi Wine, whose National Unity Platform has strong support among younger and urban voters. The campaign period has been marked by heightened security, arrests of activists and a heavy military presence, particularly in the capital Kampala.
Opposition figures have condemned the internet blackout, describing it as a deliberate attempt to limit transparency, disrupt communication among election observers and suppress dissent. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have also raised concerns, warning that the shutdown undermines freedom of expression and access to information at a critical democratic moment.
Uganda imposed similar internet restrictions during the 2021 elections, a vote that was followed by allegations of rigging and state violence. Critics say the latest shutdown fits a broader pattern in the region, where governments restrict digital access during elections to control narratives and limit mobilization.
Despite the blackout, opposition leaders have urged supporters to remain calm and use alternative means of communication, as voters prepare to head to the polls under tight security.
