Uganda’s authorities have denied reports that they were 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. TheBBCreports that on Friday, satellite internet provider Starlink restricted its services in Uganda following an order from the communications regulator, fuelling these concerns.
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 has 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.
“As of now, there is no resolution to switch off the internet,” UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo told Kampala-based Capital FM. Despite the assurances, the main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), had launched an offline vote-monitoring app in case of a blackout. He said the app used Bluetooth technology to share images of the results forms from polling stations and voting data without internet access.
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“As we all know, the regime is plotting an internet shutdown, as they have done in past elections, to block communication and prevent citizens from organising, verifying results, and demanding accountability,” he said in his New Year’s address. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
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