Uganda has intensified media censorship ahead of its general elections, ordering a nationwide internet shutdown that critics say is aimed at silencing dissent.
On Tuesday, the Ugandan government suspended full internet access across the country. According to a letter seen by Reuters, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) instructed mobile service providers to cut public internet access starting at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday. The directive said the move was intended to curb “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks.”
“The UCC acknowledges the operational challenges this directive may impose and appreciates your full cooperation in upholding national stability during this sensitive period,” the commission said in the letter.
This is not the first time Ugandan authorities have taken steps to restrict free expression ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s bid to extend his rule by securing a seventh term in office.
Earlier this month, the government announced a ban on live broadcasting of what it describes as “unlawful processions,” riots, and other violent demonstrations in the lead-up to the elections. “Live broadcasting or streaming of riots, unlawful processions, or violent incidents is prohibited, as it can escalate tensions and spread panic,” the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology said in a statement.
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In addition, two local human rights organizations were recently forced to suspend their operations ahead of Thursday’s poll. The UN Human Rights Office has said the elections are taking place in an environment marked by intimidation and persecution. The two organizations have condemned what they describe as arbitrary detention and torture of journalists and opposition supporters.
Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He is seeking a seventh term in the January 2026 elections. When he entered Kampala in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war, Museveni declared that Africa’s greatest problem was not its people, but leaders who clung to power.
On Wednesday, the 81-year-old veteran formally filed to run again, a move that would extend his leadership to nearly four decades and mean that most Ugandans have never known another president. Museveni was among the rebels who helped overthrow Idi Amin’s regime in the late 1970s and later played a role in the removal of Milton Obote in 1985.
During his time in power, Museveni has twice changed the constitution to remain in office, removing presidential term limits in 2005 and scrapping the age limit in 2017. Opposition parties have repeatedly challenged election outcomes under his leadership, pointing to what they say are serious irregularities. The government denies wrongdoing, while security forces have often broken up protests.
Throughout his long rule, Museveni has faced ongoing accusations of corruption and authoritarianism. He has acknowledged that some officials have abused their positions.
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