Kenyan Rights Group Goes After Museveni Govt Over Internet Shutdown Ahead of Tomorrow's Polls

A Kenyan human rights organisation has strongly criticised the Ugandan government following a nationwide internet shutdown imposed just days before the country’s general elections.

Ugandans woke up on Tuesday, January 13, to a complete internet blackout after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered service providers to suspend internet access across the country. The shutdown came only two days before voters head to the polls in a highly contested election.

The directive affected all major forms of connectivity, including mobile data, fibre internet, fixed wireless services, satellite links, and access to social media platforms, messaging applications, and personal email services.

VOCAL Africa, a Nairobi-based human rights group, condemned the move, describing it as a deliberate attempt to suppress free expression and limit transparency during the election period.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the organisation said the internet shutdown amounted to what it termed a “calculated attack on digital democracy,” warning that it could be used to conceal electoral malpractice from both local observers and the international community.

“By blocking access to social media, messaging platforms, and email services, the Ugandan authorities are intentionally silencing dissent and restricting the free flow of information,” the group stated.

According to the UCC, the suspension was ordered to prevent the spread of misinformation and to curb potential violence during the election period.

The regulator said the directive would take effect on January 13 at 6:00 p.m. and would remain in force until further notice.

However, rights groups and digital freedom advocates have questioned the justification, arguing that the timing of the shutdown raises serious concerns about its true purpose.

The election has drawn widespread attention, as it features another showdown between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine.

Museveni, who has been in power for four decades, previously won the 2021 election amid similar restrictions on internet access.

Observers note that the current shutdown mirrors tactics used during past elections, where limitations on communication made it difficult for citizens, journalists, and election monitors to share real-time information.

The political environment in the lead-up to the polls has also been tense. In December 2025, security forces clashed with supporters of Bobi Wine in Gulu, leading to injuries and arrests.

United Nations reports indicate that more than 300 opposition activists have been detained since September 2025.

VOCAL Africa warned that cutting off internet access during such a sensitive period could have serious consequences beyond politics.

The group said the blackout limits access to emergency services, disrupts businesses, and prevents families from communicating during a critical time.

The organisation has urged international institutions, including regional and global human rights bodies, to pressure Ugandan authorities to restore internet access and respect fundamental freedoms.

Mobile network operators have reportedly been instructed to shut down their entire internet infrastructure if they fail to comply with the directive, further tightening the information blackout.