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The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed a *temporary* suspension of internet services starting today, January 13, 2026, until further notice, just one day before the country’s general elections scheduled for Thursday, January 15.
The decision contradicts earlier assurances by Ugandan authorities, who had dismissed claims that internet access would be cut during the election period.
According to UCC, the shutdown follows advice from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, which raised concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and other online threats linked to the elections. The regulator said the move is meant to curb content that could incite violence or undermine public trust in the electoral process.
In a statement, UCC Executive Director Thembo Nyombi announced that the suspension would take effect at 6:00 p.m. on January 13, 2026, and remain in place until the commission issues a restoration notice. During this period, all non-essential public internet traffic must be blocked.
The affected services include social media platforms, personal email accounts, web browsing, video streaming, and messaging applications. The directive applies across all internet delivery channels, including mobile broadband, fibre optic connections, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services.
To maintain essential operations, UCC has outlined specific exemptions allowing limited internet access for critical services. These include healthcare systems at national referral hospitals, financial institutions, and key government operations such as immigration services, the Electoral Commission, voter verification, and vote tallying systems.
Access to these exempted services will be limited to authorised users and must be secured through measures such as dedicated IP addresses, virtual private networks (VPNs), or private communication circuits. UCC warned that misuse of these exemptions would lead to immediate revocation of access.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking re-election. His main opponent is 43-year-old opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The UCC directive follows remarks by Bobi Wine, who cautioned that protests could erupt if the elections are deemed fraudulent. Speaking to AFP from his Kampala residence, he said that citizens should be ready to act if the vote is rigged.
Analysts point out that internet restrictions during election periods have occurred in other countries within the region. On Friday, satellite internet provider Starlink reportedly limited its services in Uganda after receiving orders from the communications regulator, intensifying concerns about connectivity disruptions.
In addition, the government has prohibited live broadcasts of riots, so-called unlawful demonstrations, and other violent incidents ahead of the polls, arguing that such coverage could heighten tensions and cause panic.
Despite these measures, the head of UCC had previously described reports of an impending internet shutdown as “mere rumours,” stating that the commission’s mandate was to ensure continuous nationwide connectivity.
