The Ugandan authorities has ordered a nationwide shutdown of public web entry and sure cellular providers forward of the nation’s presidential election on Thursday.
The Uganda Communications Fee (UCC) has instructed all licensed Cell Community Operators (MNOs) and Web Service Suppliers (ISPs) to right away droop public web providers nationwide.
In line with the UCC, the suspension begins at 6:00 p.m. on January 13, 2026, and can stay in impact till additional discover.
The directive requires the suspension of public web entry, the sale and registration of recent SIM playing cards, and outbound knowledge roaming providers to nations inside the One Community Space.
The fee said, “Following a robust suggestion from the Inter-Company Safety Committee, the Uganda Communications Commissions (UCC) duly directs all licensed Cell Community Operators (MNOs) and Web Service Suppliers (ISPs) to implement a brief suspension of the next providers: Public web entry; Sale and Registration of New Simcards; and Outbound knowledge roaming providers to One Community Space nations.
“This measure is critical to mitigate the fast unfold of on-line misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and associated dangers, in addition to stopping of incitement of violence that would have an effect on public confidence and nationwide safety in the course of the election interval.”
Underneath the order, all non-essential public web visitors should be blocked. The UCC specified that affected providers embody social media platforms, net searching, video streaming, private electronic mail providers, and messaging functions.
The shutdown will cowl a number of connectivity platforms, together with cellular broadband, fibre optic networks, leased strains, fastened wi-fi entry, microwave radio hyperlinks, and satellite tv for pc web providers.
Nonetheless, the fee famous {that a} “strictly outlined exclusion record” has been established to make sure continued entry to important programs required for important nationwide capabilities and community monitoring.
These exclusions apply solely to non-mobile web providers and are accessible solely by authorised personnel via safe, whitelisted mechanisms reminiscent of devoted IP ranges, VPNs, or non-public circuits.
“The suspension is efficient thirteenth January 2026, at 1800hrs and can stay in pressure till a restoration discover is issued by the UCC. Throughout this era, all non-essential public web visitors should be blocked,” the fee stated.
“Public web visitors consists of however not restricted to social media platforms, net searching, video streaming, private electronic mail providers, and messaging functions amongst others. The suspension applies to Cell Broadband (Mobile), Fibre Optic, Leased Traces, Mounted Wi-fi Entry, Microwave Radio Hyperlinks, and Satellite tv for pc Web Providers.”
“To safeguard public security, important nationwide capabilities, and the operational integrity of communications infrastructure, a strictly outlined exclusion record has been established by the UCC,” it added.
“These exclusions allow continued entry to important providers and programs required for community monitoring and administration and is strictly for non-mobile web providers. If operators detect abuse of web providers by excluded providers and programs, speedy suspension is required.”
The UCC warned operators that any abuse of the excluded providers would lead to speedy suspension.
“Entry to those excluded programs should be restricted completely to licensed personnel and carried out via safe, whitelisted mechanisms (e.g., devoted IP ranges, VPNs, or non-public circuits),” the assertion stated.