Uganda’s communications regulator has issued a sweeping directive to temporarily suspend public internet access and halt SIM card registration nationwide, in a move authorities say is meant to protect national security and curb misinformation ahead of the polls.
In a circular dated January 13, 2026, referenced ECO/436 and addressed to the chief executives of all licensed mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs), the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) instructed telecom companies to immediately suspend public internet access, the sale and registration of new SIM cards, and outbound data roaming services to countries within the One Network Area. The directive took effect at 6:00 p.m. local time and is to remain in force “until further notice.”
According to the UCC, the decision follows a “strong recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee” and is aimed at mitigating the spread of online misinformation, disinformation, and electoral fraud that could incite violence or undermine public confidence during the election period.
Under the directive, the temporary shutdown extends well beyond simple web browsing.
“All platforms used for social media, web browsing, video streaming, personal email services and messaging applications will be blocked on both mobile and fixed networks. Telecom operators are instructed to stop issuing and registering new SIM cards across the country. Services allowing Ugandans to connect to data networks in neighbouring One Network Area countries will be suspended.”
The communications blackout encompasses multiple connectivity technologies, including mobile broadband, fibre, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services.
In explaining the measure, the UCC said the temporary clampdown on digital communication channels was necessary to prevent misinformation and potential election-related violence.
“This measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period,” said Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the UCC.
Government officials have repeatedly framed the election period as a sensitive time requiring exceptional measures to safeguard peace and order. In a press briefing earlier in January, Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, stressed that information and communication technologies play a crucial role in democratic participation and that media platforms must be used responsibly. However, the statement at that time insisted no official decision to shut down the internet had been made, describing such claims as “false and misleading.”
Uganda has a history of imposing internet restrictions during election periods. During the January 2021 general elections, authorities ordered a complete internet blackout that lasted several days, affecting millions of users and restricting access to social media, a move that drew both domestic and international criticism for curbing freedom of expression.
The latest directive comes amid sharp political tensions, with incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in power since 1986, seeking another term in office. His main challenger, popular musician and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has rallied significant support across urban and youth demographics, intensifying the stakes of the electoral contest.
The announcement of the shutdown sparked immediate concern among citizens and rights advocates, particularly regarding its implications for freedom of expression and access to information during a critical democratic process. Critics argue that cutting off digital communication platforms limits transparency, hinders civic engagement, and could disproportionately affect election monitoring efforts. Social media users have expressed frustration and alarm over the prospect of being digitally cut off just as the nation heads to the polls.
Despite the government’s focus on security and misinformation, lingering questions remain about how long the suspension will persist and what criteria will determine the restoration of services. With the election now only days away, observers both within Uganda and internationally will be watching closely to see how the communications blackout shapes voter engagement and the integrity of the electoral process.
