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Government of Uganda through the Uganda Communications Commission has ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and all Telecoms to shut down internet country wide as Ugandans head to polls on Thursday January 15th.
In a directive to the Telecom operators, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission Nyombi Thembo has ordered the Internet Service Providers to switch off the internet today 13th January 2026 at 6pm.
This was the same script for the 2016 Elections, 2021 Elections and indeed 2026 isn’t exception either. To you scrolling your phone or surfing the internet, you have until 6pm to join the digital darkness that will shadow the country until when presidential results have been released and when the government feels it safe to open the space for the internet.
According to UCC, the measure is intended to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and any related risks as well as preventing of incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security.
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The directive orders Internet operators to not only shut down public internet access but also sale and registration of new sim cards and also outbound data roaming services to One Network Area countries.
“Following a strong recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, the Uganda Communications Commissions (UCC) duly directs all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to implement a temporary suspension of the following services:
a) Public internet access
b) Sale and Registration of New Simcards
c) Outbound data roaming services to One Network Area countries”- the Directive reads in part.
However, not all will be off, the commission has directed the Internet Service Providers to exempt some vital service providers from the blackout. These include; Health Care systems at National Referral Hospitals, Core Banking services, Interbank funds transfer and clearing systems, ATM networks, URA payment systems, and government department to department payment systems.
Also exempted from the internet blackout are critical government administrative services including immigration, electoral Commission secure portals, voter verification systems and result tabulation networks.
Further, Utilities management including power grid and payment systems, water supply control and payment and fuel distribution logistics and also exempted. Transportation and aviation control systems including air traffic control and railway signaling, Sim swaps and sim upgrade systems within existing regulations will also not be affected by the internet blackout. Full detailed Directive HERE
