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Uganda’s internet shutdown during the recent elections has sparked legal action, with human rights lawyers suing telecommunications companies and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for violating constitutional protections and disrupting nationwide communication services.
Two days before President Yoweri Museveni secured his seventh term in the January 15 election, the UCC ordered telecommunications providers to take the country offline. The shutdown affected most internet television and social media platforms, with only a few free-to-air channels, including the state-run Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, remaining operational.
The impact was substantial in a country where approximately 20 million people use digital services, many relying on the internet for news. While radio stations were not directly targeted, journalists found their ability to gather information and verify election results severely hampered by the blackout.
According to the UCC, the shutdown came at the recommendation of state security bodies to “mitigate the spread of misinformation and disinformation, curb risks of electoral fraud and prevent incitement to violence.” However, critics argue that proper legal protocols weren’t followed.
Uganda-based researcher Juliet Nanfuka told ISS Today that such a shutdown legally requires declaring a state of emergency, but noted that “due process tends to fall away” in Uganda’s political environment. This scrutiny comes as General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni’s son and army chief, actively campaigns for his father’s National Resistance Movement party despite laws prohibiting military involvement in politics.
The situation escalated days after the election when Kainerugaba issued death threats on X (formerly Twitter) against opposition National Unity Platform leader Bobi Wine, prompting the Uganda Law Society to condemn this as “an escalation of impunity and abuse of the rule of law.”
This isn’t Uganda’s first election-time internet shutdown. In 2021, online services were suspended for five days in what many viewed as an attempt to curb Wine’s influence, whose popularity among youth is largely driven by his social media presence. Since then, sources indicate Museveni’s government has recruited digitally savvy individuals to counter opposition messaging online.
The recent shutdown may have backfired by fueling distrust. When social media services resumed on January 17, the Ugandan Electoral Commission’s attempts to highlight cases of misinformation came too late, after election results were already announced. This timing limited the ability to address fake news effectively, which was reportedly circulated by both government and opposition supporters.
Editors told ISS Today the blackout made it “impossible” to deliver public service messages about election logistics, such as electronic voting machine failures. This information vacuum fed voter suspicions about the electoral process’s fairness and integrity.
The shutdown also complicated reporting on incidents of “shootings and abductions.” One independent news channel editor said they struggled to verify claims, including allegations about Wine’s kidnapping. It was later revealed that AI-generated footage circulating during the ban falsely showed a helicopter above Wine’s house.
Such unverified claims provided ammunition for political actors and heightened tensions. Media access could have helped clarify situations and ensured reporter safety, with many journalists forced to file reports via text messages while in hiding.
Even after the polls, out-of-date and unverifiable videos continue to emerge, with users potentially mistaking them for current footage. This prolongs election-related tensions and delays a return to normal economic activity.
The UCC’s approach included psychological tactics. After initially dismissing speculation about an impending shutdown, they later threatened to “directly target devices” attempting to circumvent restrictions. Many journalists admitted practicing self-censorship as a result.
Despite the shutdown, the African Union Commission “commended” the election, and Uganda’s Human Rights Commission described it as “authentic and fair.” However, the UN Human Rights Office raised concerns about “widespread intimidation and impunity.”
Internet shutdowns are becoming increasingly common across Africa, with researchers documenting 198 such incidents between 2016 and 2024. This trend reflects a growing digital authoritarianism, with leaders increasingly viewing the internet as an extension of state control.
Uganda banned Facebook (Meta) in 2021 after the platform suspended numerous inauthentic government accounts. The dynamic between global platforms and African governments remains tense, with countries frequently complaining that their takedown requests aren’t taken seriously. This standoff potentially harms both political discourse and economic growth across the continent.
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14 Comments
This is an important issue at the intersection of technology, democracy, and human rights. Internet shutdowns can be a convenient tool for authorities, but the impacts on citizens’ ability to access information and communicate freely are concerning. Careful consideration of alternatives is needed.
I agree, the potential for abuse and unintended consequences with internet shutdowns is significant. Policymakers should prioritize preserving open communication channels, even during sensitive political periods.
This is a complex issue without easy solutions. While the stated goal of preventing the spread of misinformation is understandable, the broad internet shutdown appears to have done more harm than good. Policymakers should explore alternative, less disruptive approaches in the future.
While the stated rationale was to curb misinformation and fraud, the broad internet shutdown likely backfired by damaging public trust and undermining the electoral process. Authorities should explore more targeted and less disruptive approaches in the future.
The legal challenges against the telecommunications companies and regulators are understandable. Shutting down the internet during elections sets a dangerous precedent and can undermine the credibility of the democratic process. Authorities need to find more targeted ways to address misinformation.
Interesting analysis on the potential backfiring of Uganda’s internet shutdown during the elections. Shutdowns often have unintended consequences and can undermine democratic processes. I wonder how this will impact the country’s reputation and future relations.
You raise a good point. Authorities should be cautious about imposing internet shutdowns, as they can damage public trust and credibility, even if the intent was to curb misinformation.
The legal action against the telecommunications companies and regulators is an important step in holding authorities accountable for the internet shutdown. Disrupting nationwide communication services during elections is a concerning tactic that deserves close scrutiny.
While the stated goal was to prevent the spread of misinformation, the internet shutdown seems to have severely disrupted communication and information access for Ugandans. This could undermine the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process.
You’re right, a blanket internet shutdown is a blunt instrument that often does more harm than good. Policymakers need to find more targeted and nuanced ways to address misinformation without resorting to broad censorship.
The impact on journalists’ ability to gather information and verify election results is particularly concerning. An informed citizenry is essential for a healthy democracy, and internet shutdowns can severely hinder that. I hope this incident leads to a rethinking of such tactics.
Exactly, the media play a crucial role in providing transparency and accountability during elections. Disrupting their ability to report freely is a worrying development that deserves close scrutiny.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between security concerns and preserving fundamental rights like freedom of expression and access to information. Policymakers must be extremely cautious about imposing internet shutdowns, as the unintended consequences can be severe.
Well said. Maintaining an open internet and protecting democratic norms should be the priority, even in the face of concerns over misinformation. Authorities need to find more surgical solutions that don’t broadly disrupt communication channels.