Uganda cuts internet access before contentious election
Authorities in Uganda have ordered a nationwide internet shutdown and imposed restrictions on mobile services just two days ahead of a highly contentious general election, drawing sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups.
The directive, issued to major mobile network operators, requires the suspension of internet access in what officials say is an effort to prevent the spread of “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks” during the voting period. The move effectively cuts off social media, messaging platforms, and online news access for millions of Ugandans at a critical political moment.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the East African nation for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh term in office. His long grip on power has made this election one of the most closely watched—and disputed—in Uganda’s history.
Tensions have been rising steadily in the weeks leading up to the vote. Security forces have detained hundreds of opposition supporters, particularly those aligned with Museveni’s main challenger, popular musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine. Several of Wine’s campaign events have been disrupted by police and military units, with reports of live ammunition and tear gas being used to disperse crowds.
Human rights organizations and opposition leaders have condemned the internet shutdown and security crackdowns, arguing that they undermine democratic freedoms and the credibility of the electoral process. They say limiting communication restricts citizens’ ability to organize, report abuses, and access independent information.
Government officials, however, insist the measures are necessary to maintain public order and ensure a peaceful election. Similar shutdowns were implemented during previous elections, despite widespread criticism at home and abroad.
As Ugandans prepare to cast their ballots under heavy security and limited digital access, uncertainty hangs over the process. For many voters, the combination of arrests, forceful crowd control, and information blackouts has intensified concerns about whether the election will be free, fair, and reflective of the people’s will.
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