KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s communications regulator has defended its decision to temporarily suspend public internet access and selected mobile services during the country’s general election, saying the move was driven by national security concerns and the need to protect the integrity of the vote.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said the directive followed advice from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, which instructed all licensed mobile network operators and internet service providers to implement the restrictions for the duration of the election period.
“Following strong recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Tuesday issued a directive to all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to temporarily suspend public internet access and selected mobile services during the election period,” UCC said.
The regulator said the shutdown was meant to counter threats linked to the spread of false information, electoral manipulation, and incitement to violence.
“This measure was taken to mitigate the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, curb risks of electoral fraud, and prevent incitement to violence, all of which could undermine public order, national security and the integrity of the electoral process,” the statement added.
UCC clarified that the suspension was not absolute and that essential services had been exempted to allow key state and economic systems to continue functioning.
“Services deemed essential were exempted to support critical systems and institutions necessary for maintaining normalcy and continuity in strategic areas of service delivery,” it said, adding that non-critical services that could be deferred would remain suspended during the election period.
The regulator also said organisations whose services were affected but considered essential could apply for a review.
“Institutions or service providers that believe their services are of a critical nature but have not been exempted may formally write to UCC for reconsideration by the Inter-Agency Security Committee,” it said.
The internet shutdown comes amid heightened political tension ahead of Uganda’s January 15 elections, which are expected to pit long-serving President Yoweri Museveni against opposition candidates led by Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups, who argue that cutting off internet access undermines freedom of expression and limits citizens’ ability to monitor the electoral process.
Earlier this month, Bobi Wine publicly appealed to SpaceX founder Elon Musk after Starlink internet services in Uganda were switched off.
“Elon Musk, here in Uganda, your Starlink has disabled citizens’ access to its internet just days to the January 15th election in which we seek to peacefully end Yoweri Museveni’s 40-year-old dictatorship,” Wine said in a statement on January 5.
He accused the government of using internet restrictions as a tool of political repression, saying they prevent citizens from communicating, organising, and sharing information during a critical democratic moment.
“Please reactivate Starlink internet access in Uganda so that citizens can be able to communicate and stand a fair chance at shaping their destiny. Democracy dies in darkness,” he added.
