Kampala, January 13, 2026 — Uganda has gone dark online. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered all mobile operators and internet providers to suspend public internet access effective immediately, plunging the nation into a digital blackout on the eve of Thursday’s high-stakes general elections.
The directive, described as “temporary” and aimed at curbing misinformation, comes despite recent official denials that any shutdown was planned.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, seeking a seventh term to extend his nearly 40-year rule, faces his strongest challenge from opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine. The pop-star-turned-politician had repeatedly warned that authorities would block the internet to stifle supporter mobilization and real-time election result sharing.
The move mirrors the 2021 elections, when a multi-day internet blackout accompanied violent protests that left dozens dead.
Fueling fears further, satellite provider Starlink restricted services in Uganda last week following a separate UCC order. Authorities have also banned live broadcasts of riots or “unlawful processions,” claiming the measures prevent panic and escalation.
Bobi Wine and rights groups have condemned the blackout as an attempt to rig the vote in Museveni’s favor. Access Now and other watchdogs urged the government to keep networks open, warning that shutdowns undermine democratic credibility.
As Ugandans head to the polls on January 15 without full internet access, the world watches a familiar script unfold in one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders’ latest bid for power.
Stay tuned for live updates on the Uganda 2026 elections and internet restoration timeline on: https://siayatoday.com
