Uganda Shuts Down Public Internet Access Over Election Security Concerns
The UCC explained that the measure is aimed at curbing the rapid spread of online misinformation and disinformation, preventing electoral fraud, and reducing the risk of incitement to violence that could undermine public confidence and national security during the election period.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered a temporary suspension of public internet access and selected mobile services across the country during the ongoing election period, citing national security concerns.
In a directive dated January 13, 2026, and addressed to the chief executive officers of all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the Commission said the decision followed a strong recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee.
Under the directive, operators are required to suspend public internet access, the sale and registration of new SIM cards, and outbound data roaming services to One Network Area countries. The UCC explained that the measure is aimed at curbing the rapid spread of online misinformation and disinformation, preventing electoral fraud, and reducing the risk of incitement to violence that could undermine public confidence and national security during the election period.
The suspension took effect on January 13, 2026, at 1800 hours and will remain in force until a formal restoration notice is issued by the Commission. During this period, all non-essential public internet traffic must be blocked, including access to social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, personal email services, and messaging applications. The directive applies across all access technologies, including mobile broadband, fibre optic services, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services.
The UCC noted that a strictly defined exclusion list has been established to allow continued access to essential services and systems required for critical national functions, as well as network monitoring and management. These exclusions apply only to non-mobile internet services, and operators have been instructed to immediately suspend access if any abuse of the excluded services is detected.
According to the Commission, access to excluded systems must be restricted to authorised personnel only and implemented through secure, whitelisted mechanisms such as dedicated IP ranges, VPNs, or private circuits. Operators are also prohibited from extending the exclusion list or allowing any form of public bypass, while access to social media and messaging applications within service provider environments remains strictly forbidden.
The UCC further directed operators to submit details of all whitelisted systems and service accounts linked to the exclusion list immediately upon implementing the directive, and to ensure that mobile VPN services are disabled on their networks.
The Commission warned that any operator unable to comply with the instruction must shut down its entire internet infrastructure for the duration of the suspension. It added that non-compliance would attract severe sanctions, including fines and the possible suspension of operating licences.
