The Consequences of Internet Shutdown in Uganda: Voices from the Ground

Thu Jan 29 2026 21:36:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Explore the impact of Uganda's recent internet shutdown during the general elections, as businesses and individuals struggle to cope with lost income and disrupted lives.

An internet blackout in Uganda during the tightly contested general elections left citizens and businesses in turmoil. Mobile money agents like Mirembe Tracy faced a complete loss of income, while online businesses and journalists experienced significant barriers to their work. The shutdown not only hampered economic activities but also disrupted communication and education, prompting many to adapt to the stark reality of limited connectivity.

The Consequences of Internet Shutdown in Uganda: Voices from the Ground

Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy laments that her business in Uganda's bustling capital Kampala was paralysed when the government shut the internet during last week's fiercely contested general election.

All withdrawals were disconnected, she tells the BBC, adding that she gets nearly all of her income from withdrawal commissions.

Without it, her income dropped to zero.

In one week I can earn up to 450,000 [Ugandan] shillings (£96; $130). That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss, she says.

For two days either side of the election, there was nothing she could do but stay at home - she could only sell prepaid airtime credit, which she says does not give a commission.

Uganda's communications authority ordered the nationwide shutdown to ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise.

Meanwhile, the opposition alleged that this was a move to cover up voter fraud and halt monitoring by their agents.

The fallout was swift: many businesses relying on mobile money transactions faced paralysis, while others reverted to cash-based transactions.

Kampala is well-known for its boda boda (motorcycle) taxis, with many operators using ride-hailing apps to earn their income. The co-founder of SafeBoda reported that during the shutdown, their entire server was down, leaving many riders helpless.

Online retailers, like Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional clothing, were severely affected. She stated, We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries. Even now, with the internet partially restored, it remains slow and unreliable, complicating her business operations.

Students and journalists also felt the impacts acutely. Final-year student Aaron Benitez shared that he couldn't contact his family or keep up with his studies, while journalist Ngabo Amon described the frustration of being unable to report on the unfolding events.

As voices of frustration rise, the internet shutdown has highlighted the significant role that digital connectivity plays in Ugandan society, affecting everything from personal communication to economic activity.

With the shutdown now over and internet access slowly returning, many Ugandans find themselves grappling with the lasting effects and lessons of this unprecedented blackout.