As Uganda prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, digital rights groups have raised fresh concerns over the risk of internet shutdowns. Access Now and the global #KeepItOn coalition are urging President Yoweri Museveni to guarantee uninterrupted access to the internet, social media platforms, and all digital communication channels before, during, and after the polls.
The call comes amid growing anxiety over mixed signals from Ugandan authorities. Although the Uganda Communications Commission had earlier indicated it would not shut down the internet, subsequent statements by the Electoral Commission have cast doubt on that assurance. Uganda has a documented history of restricting digital access during elections, intensifying fears that similar measures could return in 2026.
Concerns deepened further after the UCC reportedly directed Starlink to disable its services in Uganda just weeks before the elections. Rights advocates say the move raises serious questions about the government’s approach to connectivity during politically sensitive periods, especially as millions of voters rely on digital platforms for information and civic participation.
Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn Global Campaign Manager at Access Now, said Uganda’s authorities have established a troubling pattern. She warned that repeated internet shutdowns and social media blocks during election cycles undermine democracy and fundamental freedoms. According to Anthonio, the president must publicly assure Ugandans that no shutdowns will occur, adding that the coalition will closely monitor developments.
Uganda’s past elections provide a stark backdrop to the warnings. During the 2016 polls, authorities ordered the shutdown of social media and mobile money services. In 2021, a four-day nationwide internet blackout disrupted access to platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and app stores, while more than 100 VPN services were blocked. Facebook has remained inaccessible in Uganda since that election.
Beyond connectivity, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition say they are alarmed by reports of increasing pressure on opposition figures and independent media ahead of the vote. They argue that digital restrictions often accompany broader crackdowns on freedom of expression during election periods.
Edrine Wanyama of the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa said internet shutdowns have become an assault on democratic participation. He stressed that during elections, open internet access is essential for voters to obtain information, report irregularities, and engage meaningfully in the democratic process. He urged Ugandan authorities to break with past practices and guarantee a free and open digital space throughout the election period.
The coalition also welcomed a recent statement by commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which raised concerns over mounting restrictions on media freedom, expression, and internet access ahead of Uganda’s elections. In December 2025, Access Now formally petitioned the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, calling on the Ugandan government to uphold digital rights. The commission has since acknowledged the appeal and confirmed that it has been forwarded to Ugandan authorities.
With election day approaching, digital rights advocates say the credibility of Uganda’s democratic process now hinges on whether citizens can remain connected and informed without interference.
