By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has officially announced the full restoration of internet and social media services across the country, marking the end of weeks of digital silence that followed the recently concluded presidential elections.
The announcement came after the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, revealed that the government had decided to release all social media platforms, while expressing appreciation to Ugandans for remaining patient, calm, and cooperative throughout what authorities described as a tense and sensitive election period, noting that the public’s resilience encouraged leaders to continue serving the nation.
As the country approached the January 15, 2026 general elections, the government imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, allowing access only to a small number of essential service providers such as hospitals, in a move that significantly limited digital communication for the wider public.
On January 13, 2026, following recommendations from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, UCC directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend public internet access nationwide, while also stopping the sale and registration of new SIM cards and blocking outbound data roaming services to One Network Area countries.
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo explained that the decision to suspend internet services was taken to slow down the spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud, and other digital activities that could threaten the credibility of the elections and national stability, adding that the measure was aimed at preventing incitement to violence and protecting public confidence and security during the election period.
During the shutdown, members of the public were unable to access social media platforms, messaging applications, personal email, web browsing services, and video streaming platforms, while businesses, media houses, civil society organizations, and institutions that depended on real-time internet connectivity were forced to halt operations or rely on alternative communication methods as security agencies intensified election-related activities.
The suspension covered a wide range of services including mobile broadband, fibre-optic connections, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services, causing major disruption to communication and economic activity across the country.
This was not the first time such restrictions had been imposed during an election period, as similar nationwide internet shutdowns were enforced in 2016 and 2021, a pattern that critics have repeatedly described as deeply concerning and harmful to democratic engagement and digital freedoms.
In a Monday 26th January public notice issued after the elections, UCC informed the general public that internet services had been fully restored nationwide following the successful completion of necessary technical and security assessments, while confirming that users could now access all online platforms and services without the restrictions that had earlier been imposed.
The commission further expressed its appreciation to the public for the patience, cooperation, and understanding shown during the period of limited internet access, while reassuring citizens of its continued commitment to monitoring the digital space in order to promote a safe, stable, and reliable online experience for all users across the country. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
