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Internet blackout disrupts livelihoods in Kampala
Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy saw her income vanish overnight when Ugandan authorities cut internet access ahead of last week's tightly contested general election. The government-ordered shutdown left her unable to process withdrawals, her primary source of earnings.
"All transactions stopped," Tracy told the BBC. "I usually earn up to 450,000 Ugandan shillings (£96; $130) weekly from commissions. That money covers my rent. Losing it was devastating." For two days before and after the vote, she could only sell prepaid airtime-an activity that yields no commission.
Government justifies shutdown as security measure
Uganda's communications regulator imposed the nationwide blackout to "maintain peace, safeguard national stability, and prevent misuse of digital platforms during a critical national event." Opposition groups condemned the move, alleging it was intended to conceal electoral fraud and block real-time reporting from polling stations.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, secured a landslide victory to extend his 40-year rule. His main rival, Bobi Wine, dismissed the results as "fabricated" and accused authorities of ballot stuffing. An African Union election observation mission later criticized the shutdown for "restricting access to information, stifling freedom of association, and undermining economic activity."
Digital economy grinds to a halt
The blackout paralyzed businesses reliant on mobile money and online platforms. SafeBoda, a ride-hailing service for motorcycle taxis, reported its servers went offline, forcing drivers off the roads and disrupting dependent enterprises.
Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional clothing via Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, made no sales during the shutdown. "Customers need photos before ordering," she explained. "We couldn't send images, receive orders, or deliver products." Even after partial restoration, she struggles to regain lost customers due to lingering connectivity issues.
Journalists and students face severe disruptions
Journalist Ngabo Amon described his smartphone as "useless" without internet. "I couldn't research stories, track election updates, or file reports," he said. Coverage suffered as reporters in rural areas resorted to physically transporting footage to newsrooms-sometimes arriving too late to be relevant.
Kenyan journalist Caroline Mutai, in Uganda to cover the elections, recounted spending days searching for internet access. "The shutdown isolated me from family during a tense period," she said. "Not being able to reach loved ones added to the stress."
Students also faced major setbacks. Aaron Benitez, a final-year pupil, lost contact with his family and saw online learning collapse. "Teachers couldn't send assignments, and group discussions were canceled," he said. Even after the election, slow connections continue to hinder his studies.
Partial restoration leaves lingering challenges
The government reinstated internet access after Museveni's victory was announced, though social media platforms remain sluggish or blocked. Many young Ugandans now use VPNs to bypass restrictions, but the shutdown's impact persists.
"It wasn't just an inconvenience-it showed how deeply we depend on digital access," said Ronnie Mwesigwa, a 20-year-old gamer who lost contact with friends and online entertainment. "All I could do was scroll through old photos on my phone."
