US EditionUganda: Govt Maintains Social Media Restrictions
Uganda restored internet after a five-day blackout but continues to block social media and monitor VPN use, citing national security and misinformation concerns.
- The UCC announced phased restoration of general connectivity on January 18, 2026, with public internet fully restored while social media and OTT applications remain blocked.
- Amid the election period, regulators argued the restrictions were meant to curb false information and maintain public order, and the UCC urged more than 20 million digital service users to avoid amplifying unverified information.
- Sign-Ups rose 3,000% over baseline, as Proton VPN reported usage hit an all-time high with many Ugandans turning to VPNs to access blocked apps.
- Nyombi Thembo warned that VPN users could face device-level actions, saying security agencies and the UCC will act against those spreading hate speech or misinformation and `We may end up going for your device`.
- During January 13-18, 2026, the shutdown coincided with presidential and parliamentary elections, and Top10VPN estimated the economic cost at $16,000,000, with ongoing social media blocks costing $8.6 million.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Uganda: Govt Maintains Social Media Restrictions
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has said that although public internet access has been fully restored across the country, restrictions on social media and over-the-top (OTT) applications will remain in place until further notice.
Uganda lifts shutdown of the internet
from HASSAN ONYANGO in Kampala, UgandaUganda BureauKAMPALA, (CAJ News) – UGANDA has finally restored public internet services following the conclusion of controversial elections held on Thursday. Yet social media and messaging platforms remain restricted by authorities at the time of publishing (on Monday). Elections were held on Thursday, and the internet was shut down on the eve of polls. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communi…
Uganda Restores Internet After Elections, Mobile Money Still Down - Innovation Village | Technology, Product Reviews, Business
Uganda has restored public internet access following the conclusion of its general elections, but key digital services — most notably MTN and Airtel mobile money — remain unavailable, prolonging disruption for millions of users across the country. On Sunday, the Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed that it had directed telecom operators and internet service providers to restore nationwide internet connectivity after nearly five days…
Internet returns to Uganda but MTN and Airtel mobile money remain unavailable
Following the conclusion of its general elections, the Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) announced on Sunday the restoration of public internet access nationwide. However, access to social media and internet connectivity for applications remains restricted. Recall that the Ugandan government, on Tuesday, imposed a nationwide internet shutdown before its January 15 general elections, citing security reasons. The UCC’s Executive Director, Mr…
Internet Access Returns in Uganda After President Secures Election Victory - Commonwealth Union
KAMPALA, Jan 18 Internet access began returning to parts of Uganda late Saturday night, hours after President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of another presidential election, extending his decades-long hold on power. After days of disruption during the vote, many Ugandans reported getting back online around 11 p.m. The government instructed several internet providers to restore service, but they still blocked access to social medi…
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