Uganda Presidential Election Internet Blackout 2026: Digital Shutdown Sparks Outrage
Uganda has entered a nationwide internet blackout just days before the 2026 presidential election. Discover how this digital shutdown affects the race between Museveni and Bobi Wine.
The web's gone dark in Uganda just 48 hours before a high-stakes vote. According to reports from AFP and Reuters, Uganda has enforced a nationwide internet blackout ahead of the January 15, 2026, presidential election. It's a move many see as an attempt by 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni to tighten his 40-year grip on power.
The Mechanics of the Uganda Presidential Election Internet Blackout 2026
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered mobile operators to sever public internet access starting at 6pm (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Monitor NetBlocks confirmed the disruption, labeling it a "nation-scale" outage. While the government claims the shutdown is necessary to prevent "electoral fraud and misinformation," critics argue it's a blatant tool for voter suppression.
Museveni vs. Bobi Wine: A Battle of Generations
Museveni, Africa’s third-longest-serving leader, faces a fierce challenge from Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician who’s galvanized the nation's youth. The International Crisis Group notes that Museveni likely has the election "all but locked down" due to his control over state resources. However, Wine has characterized his campaign as a fight against impunity, even as security forces round up hundreds of his supporters.
The price people have to pay for engaging in political opposition has become very high.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has slammed the pre-election environment as one of "widespread repression." This isn't Uganda's first digital rodeo; a similar blackout marred the 2021 election, which was plagued by reports of state violence. With 21.6 million voters heading to the polls, the lack of digital transparency raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the outcome.
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