Uganda Restores Public Internet Access After Nearly 100-Hour Blackout Following 2026 Elections

Ugandan authorities lifted the nationwide suspension of public internet access on the evening of January 17, 2026, ending a blackout that lasted close to four days.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) imposed the restrictions starting at 6:00 PM on January 13, 2026, just two days before the January 15 general elections. The regulator cited the need to safeguard public order, prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, curb potential electoral fraud, and reduce risks of incitement to violence during the sensitive polling period.

The shutdown affected mobile broadband, fibre connections, leased lines, fixed wireless, microwave links, satellite services, new SIM card registrations, and outbound data roaming under the One Network Area framework. Non-essential traffic—including social media, web browsing, streaming, email, and messaging apps—was blocked, while limited exemptions were granted for critical infrastructure (e.g., national hospitals, banking systems, government payment gateways, EC portals, utilities, and aviation controls) via secure whitelisted channels.

Restoration began a few hours after the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the winner of the presidential election on January 17. Museveni secured 7,946,772 votes (71.65% of valid ballots), extending his leadership to a seventh term. His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) of the National Unity Platform (NUP), received 2,741,238 votes (24.72%), with other candidates trailing far behind.

The timing of the restoration has drawn mixed reactions online, with Ugandans now freely expressing divergent views on the election outcome, turnout (around 44%), reported irregularities, post-poll violence, and broader governance issues. Digital rights groups and international observers have criticized the blackout as disproportionate, arguing it hindered transparency, independent monitoring, and citizens’ access to information during a pivotal democratic process.

Uganda has a history of similar measures during elections (notably in 2016 and 2021), often justified on security grounds but condemned for limiting free expression and civic participation.

As connectivity returns in full, attention shifts to post-election developments, including potential legal challenges and calls for national reconciliation.