Uganda has suspended nationwide internet access days before elections, raising concerns over democracy, opposition crackdowns, and public safety claims by authorities.
Uganda has ordered a nationwide suspension of internet access just days before its presidential and parliamentary elections, a move that has heightened domestic and international concern over democratic freedoms. The directive, issued Tuesday by the Uganda Communications Commission, instructs all service providers to block internet connectivity, citing public safety, the prevention of misinformation, and the risk of election-related violence.
The decision directly contradicts earlier assurances from both the commission and the government. Earlier this month, the regulator dismissed reports of a possible internet blackout as “mere rumours,” while authorities publicly pledged that internet access would remain available throughout election day. The sudden reversal has fueled fears of increased censorship and voter suppression.
The shutdown comes amid an intensified crackdown on the opposition as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his nearly four-decade rule. Museveni, now 81, has governed Uganda since 1986 and is widely expected to secure a seventh term, supported by firm control over state institutions and the security apparatus.
Uganda’s elections are widely viewed as a contest between Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine, the 43-year-old musician-turned-politician running for president for a second time. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, enjoys strong backing from young voters mobilized under the National Unity Platform. According to the Electoral Commission, about 21.7 million Ugandans are registered to vote.
As campaigning concluded this week, Museveni defended his long rule during rallies across the country, arguing that his National Resistance Movement brought stability after years of turmoil. Meanwhile, Wine described the election as a “war,” campaigning in a flak jacket and warning of widespread intimidation against opposition supporters.
Human rights organizations have raised alarm over escalating abuses. Amnesty International said Ugandan security forces have used arbitrary arrests, abductions, and torture to suppress dissent ahead of the vote. The group cited beatings, tear gas, and mass detentions targeting opposition supporters.
Fears of election-related violence remain high, particularly after deadly unrest during Uganda’s 2021 polls. Analysts warn that recent statements by senior military officers discouraging voters from remaining near polling stations after voting could further intimidate citizens and suppress turnout.
The internet shutdown, combined with arrests and reported abuses, has intensified concerns of a broader erosion of democracy in Uganda and the wider East African region. With a growing and youthful electorate, voter engagement and the credibility of the electoral process remain uncertain as the country heads into a pivotal vote.
