KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has restored internet services after a nationwide shutdown that lasted four days, a move that followed the country’s contentious January 15, 2026 general election and the announcement of the results.
The blackout began on January 13, 2026, just two days before polling day, when the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered internet access to be cut nationwide.
Authorities said the restriction was necessary to curb the spread of misinformation, disinformation and related risks during the highly sensitive electoral period.
By Saturday night, January 17, internet access began returning to users in Kampala and other parts of the country after nearly five days offline, with reports of service coming back in phases late at night.
While general internet connectivity has largely resumed, restrictions on social media platforms remain in place in many areas.
PUBLIC UPDATE: Today, 18th January 2026, we hosted a press briefing to update the country.Following the conclusion of the 2026 General Elections and a comprehensive security assessment, the Commission has directed the restoration of public internet access across Uganda,
Popular services such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X and TikTok continue to be blocked or limited, according to local users and independent reports, unless accessed through virtual private networks (VPNs).
The shutdown drew criticism from civil society organisations, rights groups and regional observers, who argued that cutting internet access undermines transparency, access to information and free expression during a democratic process.
Human Rights Watch, for example, said such restrictions violate fundamental rights and called for the immediate restoration of full connectivity.
Economists and business owners also warned that the blackout hurt the economy, particularly sectors reliant on digital services such as mobile money transactions, online commerce and media.
Some small businesses and traders reported difficulties with banking and communication during the outage.
The restoration came shortly after President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the presidential election with about 71.6 % of the vote, extending his decades‑long rule.
His principal challenger, Robert “Bobi Wine” Kyagulanyi, rejected the results and questioned their legitimacy, claiming irregularities.
Government officials have defended the shutdown, saying it was justified to prevent the rapid spread of misleading information and protect public order during the electoral period.
However, they have not provided a clear timeline for fully lifting restrictions on social media or all internet services.
As internet access returns, many Ugandans are resuming their online activities, though with lingering uncertainty about when social media and other restricted platforms will be fully restored.
