KAMPALA, Uganda — When the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered a nationwide suspension of public internet access at 6pm on January 13, 2026, it marked one of the most extensive digital shutdowns in the country’s history ahead of a major national poll.
The directive, issued less than 48 hours before the January 15 general election, blocks social media, messaging apps, web browsing and other non-essential online services in a bid to limit misinformation and preserve public order.
Yet, the blackout, which covers mobile broadband, fibre networks, fixed wireless, leased lines and satellite services, has not resulted in a total digital silence.
Across Uganda, citizens are employing a range of workarounds and adaptive tactics to maintain some level of connectivity and information flow during this enforced outage.
Shadow networks and digital adaptation
In the face of repeated internet restrictions, many Ugandans have developed what local commentators describe as a form of digital resilience, learning to navigate around shutdowns rather than simply accept them.
A recent column in Daily Monitor observed that past crackdowns have helped cultivate a generation of users adept at shifting between platforms and creating parallel digital pathways when official services are blocked.
Some of the adaptive responses include:
- Offline communication channels such as SMS and traditional voice calls, often used for basic coordination when data networks are down.
- Encrypted messaging apps and group chat apps that are less dependent on stable internet connectivity have historically gained popularity in similar shutdowns, although their effectiveness now is limited by the broader blackout. Experts recommend planning ahead and installing secure communication tools before shutdowns begin.
While some suggestions online refer to using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access blocked services, experts stress that VPN utility depends on whether physical network connectivity remains available, in this case, the UCC order has cut public access at a structural level, making most VPNs ineffective once basic connectivity is severed.
Although UCC has ordered internet service providers to suspend public internet access and block VPN services, enforcement has proven uneven.
Corporate fibre links, diplomatic lines, some satellite services and cross-border roaming connections remain partially active. The result is a fragmented but functional communications web.
Other Ugandans have reported to rely on friends abroad who relay information via offline channels.
“It is slower, but it works,” one university student who requested anonymity in Kampala said. “We are not going totally silent.”
Regional workarounds and border solutions
There are anecdotal reports from Ugandans discussing cross-border connectivity strategies, such as accessing mobile data from neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, where signals may still be reachable in border areas.
However, these options are limited to those near frontiers and involve physical travel outside Uganda’s shutdown zone.
Online forums highlight uncertainty about reliably using foreign networks without crossing borders.
Satellite internet and regulatory barriers
Satellite internet, often touted as an alternative during terrestrial outages, is currently not a viable option for most Ugandans.
In early January, Starlink, a major satellite internet provider, effectively disabled access within Uganda after regulatory pressure and the lack of a local operating licence, ending the possibility of using its service to bypass the blackout.
Satellite terminals that had been functioning were shut down as of January 1, 2026, leaving no active Starlink connectivity in the country under the current regulatory environment.
Prior to this, regulatory restrictions introduced in late 2025 had already placed heavy controls on the importation and use of satellite communications equipment, requiring military clearance for customs approval, a measure observers say was likely designed to limit non-state communication channels ahead of elections.
The human impact
For many Ugandans, the internet blackout is more than a technical inconvenience, it has real economic and social consequences.
Freelancers, online content creators, small business owners and employees who rely on digital platforms for work are facing potential loss of income and disruption to their daily livelihoods.
Some individuals have responded with humour, lamenting personal frustrations such as the threat of losing online streaks or routines disrupted by the outage, while others discuss more serious concerns about the long-term effects on digital careers and economic participation.
A digital tug-of-war
Uganda is not alone. From Iran to Tanzania, Ethiopia, Myanmar to Sudan, internet shutdowns have repeatedly triggered similar responses. Each time, citizens become more technically fluent, governments become more challenged in maintaining total control.
Digital reminders of the shutdown now circulate faster than official statements about it.
Analysts say that what emerges during shutdowns is a form of digital “shadow walking” — where citizens adapt creatively to information controls, often learning new tools and strategies that outlast the blackout itself.
In Uganda’s political context, repeated shutdowns have fostered a community with increased technical literacy and awareness of digital rights and workaround technologies.
Despite these adaptations, the internet blackout remains a significant impediment to open communication, independent reporting and real-time information sharing during a pivotal moment in Uganda’s political life.
Also Read: Starlink and Uganda’s 2026 election battle: Who controls the internet controls the vote
Officials argue the blackout is necessary for national security. Critics say it suppresses transparency and damages public trust. On the ground, Ugandans are navigating both realities; cautiously, creatively, and persistently.
“This is not about politics only,” says a small business owner in Ntinda. “It is about life. And life continues online.”
Domestic and regional rights groups continue to call for unfettered internet access, emphasising that connectivity is not just a convenience but a cornerstone of transparent, accountable electoral processes.
Multiple organisations have formally urged the government to avoid shutdowns that undercut these democratic principles.
