If you tried to load a webpage in Kampala at 6:01 p.m. this Tuesday, you likely saw a spinning wheel of death. That’s because Uganda in the news today is dominated by a total digital blackout. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) pulled the plug on public internet access just 48 hours before the January 15 general election.
It’s a move we've seen before, but the atmosphere feels heavier this time around.
President Yoweri Museveni is 81. He has been in power since 1986. That is forty years. For context, about 75% of the Ugandan population wasn't even born when he took the oath of office. He’s running for a seventh term, and his main rival is once again Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu—better known to the world as Bobi Wine.
While the government says the shutdown is to prevent "misinformation" and "electoral fraud," the opposition calls it a digital curtain designed to hide what happens at the polling stations.
The Ground Reality of the Election Shutdown
Walking through the streets of the capital right now, you aren't just seeing campaign posters. You're seeing armored trucks. The military has been deployed in force across Kampala. It’s a show of strength that feels less like "keeping the peace" and more like a warning.
Bobi Wine has been encouraging his supporters to use Bluetooth-based messaging apps like Briar to stay connected, but the UCC has already hinted they have the tech to scramble those too.
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It isn't just the internet, either.
Today, the government ordered two major human rights groups—Chapter Four Uganda and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda—to stop working immediately. The state-run NGO Bureau claims their activities are "prejudicial to national security." Honestly, it’s a massive blow to any hopes of independent election monitoring.
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You’ve got to look at the demographics to understand why this is so tense. Uganda has one of the youngest populations on the planet. Millions of Gen-Z Ugandans are frustrated. They’re looking at high unemployment rates and wondering if the "stability" Museveni promises is actually just stagnation.
- Museveni’s Pitch: "Protecting the Gains." He talks about the new oil pipeline (EACOP) and the $4 billion refinery being built with UAE investment. He sees himself as the grandfather of the nation who needs to see these projects through.
- Bobi Wine’s Pitch: "The Protest Vote." He’s leaning into the "Ghetto President" persona, focusing on the sheer exhaustion of the youth.
The UN Human Rights Office released a pretty scathing report last Friday, Jan 9, noting that security forces have been using live ammunition to disperse rallies. They even mentioned the use of "drones"—those unmarked vans that have become a terrifying symbol of state-led abductions in recent years.
Business and the Economy Under Pressure
It’s not all politics, though. The economic stakes are massive. Uganda is on the verge of its first oil production, expected to hit full swing by 2027. This is the "harvest" Museveni keeps talking about.
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But for the average person in Kampala, the immediate concern is mobile money. In Uganda, mobile money is basically the entire economy. If the internet stays down, people can’t pay for groceries, rent, or transit. The UCC denied they were shutting down mobile money services, calling those reports "fake news," but when the data goes, the apps go. It’s a mess.
What People Often Get Wrong About Uganda
Most international news focuses on the "dictator vs. pop star" narrative. It’s a good hook, but it misses the nuance. Museveni still has a deep well of support in rural areas. Older voters remember the chaos of the 1970s and 80s under Idi Amin and Milton Obote. To them, Museveni is the man who brought the peace, and they aren't eager to risk that for a 43-year-old musician.
Then there’s the international angle. The U.S. and the World Bank have a complicated relationship with Kampala. Just last month, the U.S. agreed to $1.7 billion in healthcare funding, even while criticizing the country’s human rights record. It’s a classic case of realpolitik. Uganda is a key security partner in East Africa, and nobody in Washington wants to see the country collapse into chaos, even if they aren't happy with how the election is being handled.
A Quick Look at Today's Other Headlines
While the election is the big story, a few other things happened today that shouldn't be ignored:
- Transport Tragedy: A horrific head-on collision involving two buses in western Uganda killed at least 63 people. It’s a stark reminder of the country’s ongoing struggle with road safety and infrastructure.
- The "Inherited Taste" Study: Interestingly, a new study on chimpanzees in Uganda’s forests suggests humans might have inherited our taste for alcohol from our primate ancestors. It’s a bit of light news in a very heavy week.
- Diplomatic Friction: The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) came out today with a very strong statement condemning the internet blackout, warning that it could "inflame" tensions across the whole East African region.
Navigating the Next 48 Hours
If you are currently in Uganda or have family there, here is the basic reality of the situation.
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First, expect the blackout to last through the weekend at least. During the 2021 election, the internet was off for five days. Don't rely on digital maps or banking apps for the next few days.
Second, the "Safe House" phenomenon is real. Human rights groups have documented that people picked up in the "drones" are often held incommunicado. If you’re moving around the city, carry physical ID and avoid areas where the military is clustering.
Third, the results won't be immediate. Even if the voting happens on Thursday, the tallying process is where the real friction usually starts. The opposition has already said they won't accept the results if they feel the process was rigged under the cover of the blackout.
Actionable Steps for Those Following the Situation
- Communication: If you have relatives in Uganda, try traditional voice calls or SMS. These usually stay up even when the data is cut.
- Documentation: If you’re on the ground and witness irregularities, document them offline. Save photos and notes to your local device storage so they can be uploaded the moment the "switch" is turned back on.
- Information Sources: Follow established regional news outlets like The Daily Monitor or The East African, but remember that even their websites might be unreachable from within the country.
- Safety: Stay away from "protest hotspots" like Kasubi, Kamwokya, and the city center if things get heated on Thursday night.
The story of Uganda in the news today isn't just about a vote; it’s about a country trying to figure out what comes after a forty-year era. Whether that transition starts this week or is pushed further down the road, the digital silence currently hanging over the country is the loudest thing about it.
Next Steps for Readers
To stay informed during the blackout, bookmark the Twitter/X handles of international correspondents who are using satellite uplinks, as they will be the only source of live updates until the UCC restores public access. Additionally, check for updates from the African Union's election observation mission, which is one of the few international bodies still permitted to have boots on the ground during the count.