Uganda will temporarily suspend public access to the internet and certain mobile services less than 48 hours ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, during which
voters will elect the President of the Republic and members of Parliament.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered a temporary shutdown of public internet access and selected mobile services starting at 6:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, citing security considerations linked to the electoral period, according to multiple regional media outlets.
Under a directive issued by the telecommunications regulator, the suspension will affect public internet access, the sale and registration of SIM cards and outbound data roaming services. Exemptions have, however, been granted to services deemed essential, particularly in the health, banking and government sectors.
In a statement quoted by the local press, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo, said the decision followed a “strong recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee.”
The regulator has instructed all licensed mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to implement the temporary suspension in full.
“This measure is necessary to curb the rapid spread of disinformation, misinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, and to prevent incitement to violence that could undermine public confidence and national security during the electoral period,” the directive stated.
The suspension applies to all public internet traffic, including social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, messaging services and personal email. It covers multiple forms of connectivity, including mobile internet, fibre-optic networks, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links and satellite internet services.
The UCC has nonetheless outlined a list of exempted services that will remain operational under strict supervision.
These include health systems at national referral hospitals, central banking networks, interbank transfer and clearing systems, automated teller machines (ATMs), government payment platforms, the Electoral Commission’s voter verification systems, public service management platforms, as well as transport and aviation control networks.
Network supervision and management tools—such as network operations centres (NOCs), routing diagnostics, bandwidth monitoring systems and cross-border IP transit services—will also remain accessible, but strictly limited to authorised personnel and through secure, pre-approved mechanisms.
The regulator has further instructed operators to disable mobile VPN services and warned against any attempts to circumvent the restrictions. Providers are required to submit detailed records of authorised systems and accounts to the UCC, maintain robust audit logs, and report any technical issues or compliance failures within a maximum of 30 minutes.
Failure to comply will expose operators to severe penalties. “Any operator unable to implement this directive must proceed with a complete shutdown of its internet infrastructure for the duration of the suspension. Non-compliance will result in harsh sanctions, including fines and possible licence suspension,” Nyombi Thembo warned.
The decision comes as Uganda prepares for the January 15, 2026 general elections, in which voters will choose the country’s president and parliamentary representatives.
Eight candidates are contesting the presidential race, including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Polling stations are scheduled to open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, with approximately 21.6 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots in an election taking place amid ongoing concerns over the use of digital platforms to spread false information during electoral processes.
ARD/ac/lb/gik/APA