Uganda has suspended internet access ahead of elections, raising concerns over democracy, opposition crackdowns, and voter safety as tensions escalate nationwide.
Uganda has ordered a nationwide suspension of internet access just days before its presidential and parliamentary elections, a move that has intensified fears over democratic backsliding and political repression. The Uganda Communications Commission announced on Tuesday that all service providers must halt internet services, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud, and the incitement of violence.
The shutdown has surprised many Ugandans, as authorities had previously dismissed reports of a potential blackout as rumours. Earlier assurances from both the commission and the government stated that internet connectivity would remain uninterrupted on election day. The sudden reversal has deepened mistrust among voters and opposition groups already facing heavy restrictions.
The internet suspension comes amid a widening crackdown on opposition figures as Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his nearly four-decade grip on power. At 81, Museveni is expected to secure a seventh term, having ruled Uganda since 1986 with firm control over state institutions and security forces.
Uganda’s elections are widely viewed as a contest between Museveni and Bobi Wine, the singer-turned-politician running for president for a second time. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, enjoys strong backing from young voters frustrated by unemployment, corruption, and political exclusion. According to the Electoral Commission, around 21.7 million Ugandans are registered to vote.
As campaigning ended on Tuesday, Museveni held rallies across the country, including in Kasese district and later in Kampala. Addressing supporters of his National Resistance Movement, he defended his long rule by pointing to stability restored after years of political turmoil. He argued that rejecting ethnic and religious politics allowed Uganda to build strong national institutions and maintain peace.
Meanwhile, human rights groups and international observers have raised alarm over reports of arbitrary arrests, abductions, and intimidation targeting opposition supporters. Amnesty International said Ugandan security forces used excessive force, including beatings and tear gas, to suppress rallies held by the National Unity Platform. Bobi Wine himself has repeatedly been arrested in past elections and has campaigned wearing a flak jacket, describing the race as a “war.”
Concerns are also growing over possible election-day violence. Analysts warn against a repeat of the deadly unrest that followed the 2021 polls, when dozens were killed. Statements from senior military officers cautioning voters not to remain near polling stations after voting have further heightened anxiety.
The situation in Uganda reflects broader regional worries about democratic erosion in East Africa, following violent elections in Tanzania and deadly protests in Kenya in recent years. With internet access now cut off, critics argue that citizens are being excluded from transparent participation at a critical moment.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the shutdown and ongoing repression have cast a shadow over the credibility of the elections. Many Ugandans fear that limiting communication and dissent could undermine the legitimacy of the outcome and deepen political divisions in an already tense environment.
