The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
KAMPALA | Xinhua | Uganda restored internet services on Sunday after a five-day nationwide shutdown imposed during the general elections, a move authorities said was intended to curb the misuse of online platforms.
Ibrahim Bbosa, a spokesperson for the Uganda Communications Commission, confirmed the restoration. “Yes, the internet is back,” Bbosa told Xinhua. Telecommunications companies also sent messages to subscribers notifying them that services had resumed.
The restoration followed the announcement on Saturday that incumbent President Yoweri Museveni had won the 2026 presidential election, securing more than 7.9 million votes out of about 11.3 million valid ballots cast. ■
But they have been switching it off and on like a child playing with lights for more than 5 days. Even yesterday, on Thursday 22nd January 2026, they were still having fun switching it off and on.
Trust in the electoral process is by nature a very fragile thing and it becomes increasingly fragile with these kind of extreme and arguably unnecessary measures. What is the use of the Public Order Management Act if the internet must be switched off every time people go to vote, in the name of maintaining public order?