By Michael Aboneka
Ugandans went to polls on 15 January 2026 and despite assurances by the Ministry of ICT and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) that the internet would remain on, the government once again pulled the "kill switch" on 13 January 2026 with no legal justifications whatsoever. UCC in their communication noted that they received direction from the national security council to switch off the internet due to security reasons. Despite having It is clear that the 2026 shutdown was not just a political tactic; it was a systemic dismantling of the human rights that underpin a free society.
The internet has been shut down before during the 2016 and 2021 elections as Ugandans woke up to a total blackout and could not access social media, emails, messaging apps, or any information. The government claimed it was necessary for “national security,” even though, in reality, this limitation is never proved in the courts of law. The shutdown silenced millions of voices, crippled businesses, and cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process and alas, the same was meted on citizens in 2026 and those in charge seemed to be unapologetic about it.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in its Resolution 580 on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa, affirmed that access to the internet is integral to rights guaranteed under the African Charter, such as the freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in public affairs. Thus, the Commission emphasizes that such shutdowns erode trust in institutions and compromise the legitimacy of elections, and Uganda, as a member of the African Union and a signatory to the Charter, is bound by these obligations. To shut down the internet during elections would not only violate the rights of citizens, but Uganda will be directly in total defiance of its continental commitments to democratic governance.
The Digital Rights Alliance Africa report on Internet Shutdowns and Disruptions documents how shutdowns are a troubling trend across the continent. It further notes that Uganda’s 2021 blackout prevented citizens from monitoring results, orchestrating suspicion, and undermining transparency. Shutting down the internet during leaves citizens vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation and further weakens confidence in the electoral commission.
There are 27 Million internet users in Uganda, which is 55.1% of the population and an internet disruption affects a bigger part of the population. Shutting down the internet violates freedom of expression by citizens, right to livelihood , blocks access to information by preventing voters from verifying results, and undermines the will of the people, as democracy depends on informed participation, Further, many people residing in Uganda during the shutdown were not able to attend school online, file cases on the Electronic Court Case Information Systems (ECCMIS), make online payments, book air tickets online, execute their contractual obligations especially those working remotely. Uganda’s Constitution itself guarantees these rights under articles 29, 30, 38, 40,41 and to suspend them during elections, which was not a state of emergency to warrant the suspension of rights and legal due process.
The economic and social costs of shutdowns are alarming. The bank agency business, e-hailing services among others were also severely affected. According to Netblocks, Uganda lost 9 Million US dollars in 2021 and 22.8 Million US Dollars during the 2026 shutdown period which was longer. The World Bank has severally emphasized that digital connectivity is central to Africa’s economic transformation. Uganda launched a 5-year Digital Transformation Road Map and is shifting to the provision of services using digital platforms through its Digital Public Infrastructure which includes the National ID System, mobile money, the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS), the Express Penalty Scheme, Digital Tax Stamps and Payment Registration Numbers among others. It defeats the purpose when Uganda shutdown internet and still expects Ugandans to use the above services and also is still able to pose as a very progressive digital transformation country.
The government should instead promote fast internet and accessibility and affordability in the era of digital transformation. During the 2024 elections in South Africa, private entities provided faster and reliable internet; Wi-Fi 6 technology to ensure that the citizens were following the election process, vote counting, and transmission and were able to track in real time the performance of their candidates, which promotes electoral transparency. Digital platforms empowered youth participation, proving that connectivity strengthens democracy rather than undermines it. Uganda should draw lessons from countries such as South Africa and ensure that the internet is on and not disrupted, ensure transparent electoral processes as this promotes political participation as enshrined by the African Charter and the Ugandan Constitution.
As affected citizens and as a means to hold the state accountable, we filed a suit against the regulators and telecoms for the internet shutdown as it violated our rights to education, freedom of expression, access to information, right to livelihood among others and we hope that justice will prevail. Uganda must stand for transparency, not secrecy; embrace connectivity, not isolation; defend democracy, not control. Keeping the internet on during elections is a declaration of the people’s will.
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Michael Aboneka is an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda and; Partner at Thomas & Michael Advocates; He is the Team Leader of Walezi Wa Katiba Foundation; and a Constitutional building, Civic Space, Digital Rights and Governance Expert. Michael is a member of Uganda Law Society, East Africa Law Society, Pan African Lawyer’s Union, International Society of Public Law & World Youth Alliance. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa. His interest and areas of research regard international humanitarian law, governance and constitutionalism, disability rights, digital rights and human rights in general.