Uganda Cuts Internet Days Before Presidential Election

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Musinguzi BlansheJanuary 13, 2026 at 08:34 PM

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Uganda's authorities shut down internet service nationwide on Tuesday, days before the presidential election on Thursday. The Uganda Communications Commission stated the decision, made by the national security committee, was to prevent the spread of misinformation and the "weaponization of the internet." President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term against main challenger Bobi Wine, a pop singer turned politician. Wine has accused the electoral commission of vote rigging and says he is campaigning as a protest vote. Internet blackouts during elections have become common in Africa as a tool of political control.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tanzania 40% Kampala ×250% Nyombi Thembo ×250% Uganda Communications Commission 70% Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi) ×580% Yoweri Museveni ×590% Uganda ×495%

Keywords

internet shutdown 100% uganda 90% presidential election 90% yoweri museveni 80% bobi wine 70% misinformation 70% political control 60% protests 50% vote rigging 50%