Uganda imposes nationwide internet blackout days before presidential vote

Ugandan authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout days before the presidential election scheduled for January 15. A government regulatory body directed mobile network operators to block public internet access from 6pm local time on Tuesday, a move confirmed by internet monitor NetBlocks as a countrywide disruption.

The shutdown comes as President Yoweri Museveni, aged 81, seeks a seventh term in office after nearly 40 years in power. He is being challenged by opposition candidate Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician, as well as six other contenders. Electoral authorities say Uganda has about 21.6 million registered voters.

The internet outage has raised concerns among rights groups and international observers about the pre-election environment. The United Nations Human Rights Office has criticised what it described as widespread repression and intimidation, while opposition supporters say security forces have arrested hundreds of activists and used live ammunition and tear gas at campaign events.

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The Uganda Communications Commission said the internet shutdown was necessary to curb misinformation, disinformation and electoral fraud. The government also ordered two civil society organisations, Chapter Four Uganda and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, to halt operations, citing national security concerns.