The Uganda Communication Commission has ordered a ‘ temporary’ shutdown of the internet effective today, January 13, 2026, until further notice. The shutdown orders come in exactly a day before the Uganda General Elections set for Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The news development comes days after Uganda’s authorities denied reports that they are planning to cut access to the internet during next week’s election.

The main opposition candidate last week repeated claims that the government was going to block the internet to prevent his supporters from mobilising and sharing election results.

On Friday, satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda following an order from the communications regulator, fuelling these concerns.

Bobi Wine has condemned the act and urged his followers to use alternative ways of getting news during election days.

President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his 40-year rule in the 15 January elections. His strongest challenger is expected to be Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, a former pop star.

This is a repeat of the 2021 poll, which saw widespread protests with dozens killed, while the internet was cut for four days.

Meanwhile, the government also banned live broadcasts of riots, “unlawful processions” and other violent incidents ahead of the election, arguing that these could “escalate tensions and spread panic”.

However, the head of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said reports of a possible internet blackout were “mere rumours,” insisting that the commission’s role was to guarantee uninterrupted connectivity nationwide.