Amnesty International has called on Ugandan authorities to immediately lift internet and mobile phone restrictions imposed ahead of tomorrow’s general election. The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) ordered an indefinite suspension of internet services, along with restrictions on mobile networks, citing the need to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and protect national security.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa Regional Director, condemned the shutdown as a “brazen attack on the right to freedom of expression” and warned that it threatens access to vital information at a critical moment. “Blanket shutdowns disrupt people’s mobility, livelihoods, and their ability to access essential information. They are inherently disproportionate under international human rights law and must never be imposed,” Chagutah said.
The shutdown began Tuesday at 6pm local time, and internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported widespread service disruptions. The order also requires network operators to stop selling or registering new SIM cards and to suspend outbound data roaming. No end date has been provided, raising further concerns about potential abuse.
Ugandan authorities have a history of restricting digital access during elections. In 2021, a week-long internet blackout coincided with violent crackdowns that resulted in dozens of deaths. The current shutdown follows recent government actions against civil society, including suspensions of NGO permits and freezes on bank accounts, limiting freedom of association.
Earlier this month, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressed concern over pre-election information restrictions, harassment of opposition actors, arbitrary arrests, and abuses targeting journalists. Amnesty International stressed that maintaining internet access is essential to safeguard human rights, electoral transparency, and public safety during this high-stakes vote.
