Uganda’s internet shutdown during last week’s general election has crippled daily life, slashing incomes for mobile money agents and online businesses while disconnecting gamers, students, and journalists, underscoring the nation’s deep reliance on digital connectivity. The government-ordered blackout, intended to ensure peace during the fiercely contested vote, has left a trail of economic hardship and social disruption, with many struggling to recover even as partial restoration begins.
The shutdown, enforced by Uganda’s communications authority to “protect national stability,” paralyzed mobile money services, a lifeline for many. Mirembe Tracy, a mobile money agent in Kampala, saw her income drop to zero as withdrawals were disconnected, forcing her to skip rent payments. Similarly, online businesses that depend on digital transactions came to a standstill, with some reverting to cash in a largely cashless economy.
Ride-hailing platforms like SafeBoda were severely affected, with servers down during the suspension, stranding motorcycle taxi operators and depriving businesses that rely on the service. Kampala’s ubiquitous boda boda drivers, who earn through apps, were forced off the roads, highlighting how the shutdown disrupted urban mobility and informal employment.
Social media-dependent entrepreneurs faced immediate setbacks. Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional clothing via Instagram and WhatsApp, could not send pictures, receive orders, or make deliveries, making it difficult to cover basic costs like rent. The blackout cut off her customer base, and recovery remains slow as online access stays unreliable.
Journalists covering the election found their work tools rendered useless. Ngabo Amon described smartphones becoming idle, unable to research stories or send material, while Caroline Mutai, a Kenya-based journalist, said the shutdown “almost gave me depression” as she struggled to file reports. In rural areas, footage had to be transported physically, delaying news and reducing relevance.
Young people and students were isolated and hindered in their daily lives. Ronnie Mwesigwa, a 20-year-old gamer, lost contact with friends and access to online entertainment, resorting to stored phone content. Aaron Benitez, a final-year pupil, could not contact his family or participate in online learning, with teachers unable to send notes via WhatsApp or Zoom, disrupting education.
The African Union election observation mission reported that the shutdown limited information access, curtailed economic activities, and “created suspicion and mistrust” in the electoral process. Opposition claims of voter fraud were amplified by the blackout, which critics say aimed to cover up irregularities during President Yoweri Museveni’s landslide victory to extend his 40-year rule.
Internet access was partially restored after Museveni was declared winner, but social media remains slow or restricted, pushing many to use VPNs. For Ugandans, the episode served as a stark reminder of digital dependency, with ongoing challenges in regaining normalcy amid political tensions and economic strain.
