The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed all licensed mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to temporarily suspend public internet access and certain mobile services during the ongoing election period.
The directive, effective 13th January at 18:00, comes on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Security Committee. UCC cited concerns over the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence.
Services Affected
The suspension includes:
- Public internet access, including social media, web browsing, messaging apps, video streaming, and personal email services
- Sale and registration of new SIM cards
- Outbound data roaming to One Network Area countries
The shutdown covers multiple networks: mobile broadband, fibre optic, leased lines, fixed wireless, microwave links and satellite internet services.
What Is Exempted
Certain critical services will remain operational, strictly for authorized personnel:
- National referral hospitals and healthcare systems
- Core banking networks, interbank funds transfers, ATMs and tax payment systems
- Government services such as immigration and electoral portals
- Utilities, including power, water and fuel distribution systems
- Transportation control systems, including air traffic and rail signaling
- Network Operations Centers and monitoring platforms
- Routing diagnostics, bandwidth monitoring, and fault detection tools
- Intrusion detection, firewalls, and cybersecurity systems
Most public internet services will be unavailable during the suspension.
TechArena’s Take
Internet shutdowns during elections are increasingly common in Africa. These are often justified as measures to protect national security. Even though these are common in Africa, it is honestly unacceptable and should stop. Leaders cannot use institutions like the UCC to justify such actions.
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Also Read: Reliance on social media for news makes Africans vulnerable to disinformation, survey finds