City lawyer wants court to block internet, mobile money shutdown during elections

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Maverick lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the court, seeking orders stopping the Government from disconnecting the Internet, social media and mobile money services across the country during elections.

The lawyer filed the suit against the Attorney General, who is the principal legal adviser to the Government, on July 14, 2025.

Mabirizi argues that the disconnection of the services during presidential and parliamentary elections is a breach of the Constitution and constitutes a threat to Ugandan citizens’ fundamental rights to equality and freedom from discrimination, right to life and freedom of speech.

The lawyer also contends that the disconnection of the services constitutes a threat to freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association, right to education, rights of the family, right to culture, right to participate in the affairs of the government and peaceful activities to influence the policies of the government, among other rights.

Mabirizi asserts that the Government is planning to disconnect the Internet, social media and mobile money services throughout Uganda during elections.

He states that during and after the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, the Government disconnected social media services.

The lawyer also says that in 2021, the Government disconnected the entire Internet and mobile money services during the elections.

Mabirizi argues that the disconnection of the Internet, social media and mobile money services during the 2016 and 2021 elections constituted a derogation, violation and threat to Ugandan citizens’ rights in a free and democratic society.

Orders

He, therefore, wants the court to issue an order, restraining the Government or any of its agencies from disconnecting the Internet, social media and mobile money services throughout Uganda during and after 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections.