Govt shuts down Internet ahead of General Election

KAMPALA - With just lass than two day to the General Election, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered a temporary suspension of public Internet access and selected mobile services.

In a statement dated January 13, 2026, UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo says the decision follows recommendations from the inter-agency security committee.

This is not the first time UCC is shutting down the Internet during the election period.

He says the directive requires all licensed mobile network operators and Internet service providers to temporarily suspend public Internet access, the sale and registration of new SIM [subscriber identity module] cards, and outbound data roaming services to one-network-area countries during the election period.

Thembo adds that the measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing of incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period.

According of UCC, the suspension, which starts today, January 13, 2026, at 6:00pm, will remain in force until a restoration notice is issued by it.

Thembo said during the election period, all non-essential public internet traffic must be blocked. Public internet traffic includes, but not limited to, social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, personal email services and messaging applications.

He noted that the suspension applies to Mobile Broadband (cellular), fibre optic, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services.

To safeguard public safety, Thembo said a critical national function and the operational integrity of communications infrastructure, a strictly defined exclusion list has been established by the UCC.