Uganda allays fears of Internet shutdown during elections

Kampala — Government has dismissed as false and malicious growing claims that it plans to shut down the internet during the forthcoming elections, saying no such decision has been taken or announced.

The clarification by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Aminah Zawedde, comes amid heightened public anxiety on social media following recent remarks by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) indicating that the importation of Starlink satellite internet equipment requires approval from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The statement fuelled speculation that authorities were positioning themselves to control alternative internet access ahead of polling day.

In a statement issued on Monday, Dr Zawedde said reports suggesting an imminent internet shutdown were deliberately misleading and risked destabilising the country at a sensitive political moment.

“The Government of Uganda has not planned or announced any internet shutdown during elections. Claims to the contrary are false, malicious and designed to sow fear,” she said, warning that misinformation undermines public confidence and threatens national calm.

The rumours gained traction after URA clarified that Starlink kits are classified as controlled communication equipment whose importation requires clearance from security authorities, specifically the CDF. While URA said the requirement was rooted in national security and regulatory oversight, critics and online commentators interpreted it as a signal that government was preparing for restrictions similar to those imposed in previous elections.

Uganda has a history of internet and social media shutdowns during election periods. In the 2016 and 2021 general elections, authorities ordered nationwide internet blackouts, citing security concerns and the need to curb the spread of misinformation. In January 2021, access to social media platforms and the wider internet was blocked days before voting and remained restricted for several days after, drawing criticism from civil society groups, opposition politicians, and international observers.

Those past actions have made any suggestion of new controls over digital communication particularly sensitive, especially as more Ugandans turn to satellite internet services and virtual private networks to bypass restrictions.

Dr Zawedde sought to strike a balance between reassuring the public and restating government’s expectations around responsible media use. She said ICTs remain central to democratic participation and access to information, but warned against their misuse.

“We are committed to digital inclusion and access to information, recognising ICTs as pillars of democracy, not tools for destabilisation,” she said. “However, freedom comes with responsibility. Media must not be used to incite violence, spread falsehoods or declare unofficial results.”

She added that live broadcasting of riots or violent scenes is prohibited, arguing that such coverage escalates tensions and puts lives at risk.

As the country heads into another tightly contested election cycle, analysts say government messaging on internet access will be closely scrutinised, particularly given past shutdowns and the increasing role of digital platforms in mobilisation, vote tallying and citizen reporting. For now, officials insist there is no plan to switch off the internet, even as debates continue over security oversight, emerging technologies like Starlink, and the boundaries between public order and digital freedoms.