Breaking News: UCC orders Internet Shutdown Today

As expected, the Uganda Communications Commission has reportedly ordered the shutting down of internet ahead of the elections a move which the regulator did even in the previous elections.

In a directive to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecoms signed by the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission, internet will be off through the election period and will be restored until they receive restoration orders from the authorities.

“The suspension is effective 13th January 2026, at 1800hrs and will remain in force until a restoration notice is issued by the UCC. During this period, all non-essential public internet traffic must be blocked. Public internet traffic includes but not limited to social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming, personal email services, and messaging applications among others. The suspension applies to Mobile Broadband (Cellular), Fibre Optic, Leased Lines, Fixed Wireless Access, Microwave Radio Links, and Satellite Internet Services”-reads part of the directive.

The commission has however excluded some vital service providers from the blackout. These include Health care systems at National Referral Hospitals, Financial services, ATM networks and URA tax payment systems.

The others exempted from the blackout include critical government administrative services like immigration, Electoral Commission Secure portals, voter verification systems and result tabulation networks.