Ugandan authorities have denied plans to block internet access during the country’s upcoming national election, pushing back against opposition claims that connectivity could be restricted to limit political mobilisation.
The denial comes days before voters head to the polls on January 15 in a closely watched contest that will again feature long-serving President Yoweri Museveni and his main challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine.
Concerns intensified after satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda following an order from the national communications regulator.
Opposition figures have argued that such actions signal preparations for broader digital restrictions similar to those imposed during previous elections.
Government officials, however, have described reports of a planned shutdown as unfounded and misleading.
The Uganda Communications Commission said there was no decision in place to disable internet services during the election period.
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo described the claims as “mere rumours” and said the commission’s mandate was to ensure uninterrupted nationwide connectivity.
Officials have sought to distinguish the current situation from the 2021 election, when internet access was cut for four days amid protests and security crackdowns.
That election period saw widespread unrest, with dozens of people killed, according to rights groups and media reports cited by opposition leaders.
Despite the assurances, skepticism remains among opposition supporters, who point to past precedents and recent regulatory actions as reasons for caution.
In response to the uncertainty, the National Unity Platform has launched an offline vote-monitoring application designed to function without internet access.
The app, called Bitchart, uses Bluetooth technology to share images of polling station results and voting data between nearby devices.
Bobi Wine said the tool was intended to safeguard transparency in the event of connectivity disruptions.
“As we all know, the regime is plotting an internet shutdown, as they have done in past elections, to block communication and prevent citizens from organising, verifying results, and demanding accountability,” he said in a New Year’s address.
Separately, the government has banned live broadcasts of riots, unlawful processions, and violent incidents ahead of the vote, arguing that such coverage could escalate tensions and spread panic.
The restrictions, alongside reports of detentions of opposition supporters, underscore the fraught political environment surrounding the election.